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Former Cabinet minister and veteran left-wing campaigner Tony Benn has died at home, his family has said.



The 88-year-old former Labour MP had been seriously ill.

Mr Benn became an MP in November 1950 and served in the Cabinet under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan.

A major figure on the left of the party, he narrowly missed out on the deputy leadership in 1981 and went on to be a popular public speaker, anti-war campaigner and political diarist.

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In a statement his children Stephen, Hilary, Melissa and Joshua said Mr Benn died peacefully early this morning at his home in west London surrounded by his family.

"We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the NHS staff and carers who have looked after him with such kindness in hospital and at home", the family said.

"We will miss above all his love which has sustained us throughout our lives. But we are comforted by the memory of his long, full and inspiring life and so proud of his devotion to helping others as he sought to change the world for the better."

They said arrangements for his funeral will be announced in due course.

One of his most recent public appearance was in December, when he paid tribute to Nelson Mandela at a special event in Westminster Hall.

Labour leader Ed Miliband paid tribute to an "iconic figure of our age".

"He will be remembered as a champion of the powerless, a great parliamentarian and a conviction politician", Mr Miliband said.

"Tony Benn spoke his mind and spoke up for his values. Whether you agreed with him or disagreed with him, everyone knew where he stood and what he stood for.

Prime Minister David Cameron also paid tribute to the Labour veteran on Twitter.

He said: "Tony Benn was a magnificent writer, speaker and campaigner. There was never a dull moment listening to him, even if you disagreed with him."

He was charming witty and urbane, a real gentleman.

The Queen has granted permission for the body of Tony Benn to rest overnight in Parliament's chapel, Commons Speaker John Bercow has announced.

In a short statement to MPs following a special Commons tribute session to the former Labour MP who died last week, Mr Bercow said there would be a "private, family service" for Mr Benn.

MPs, peers and parliamentary staff will then have the chance to file past his coffin and pay their respects, he said.

The vigil is scheduled for Wednesday.

Mr Benn's coffin will then be transported from the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in Parliament to nearby St Margaret's Church for his funeral on Thursday.

The Queen has granted permission for the body of Tony Benn to rest overnight in Parliament's chapel

Inherited a peerage he never deserved. Truly the opposite of Thatcher who was born a commoner and was granted a peerage due to her own efforts and extraordinary accomplishments