MP Peter Luff this week paid tribute to former Conservative Prime Minister Ted Heath who died at the weekend.

Mr Luff, who was head of Mr Heath's private office from 1980 to 1982, said: "I count it as a great privilege to have worked so closely with one of the greatest political figures of the late 20th century.

"It is fashionable to deride his contribution to the Conservative Party, but, as Margaret Thatcher said in her own generous tribute, it was the 1970 manifesto that set us on our modern course.

"He was the first leader of my party to be elected by MPs and the first to come from a less privileged background. Since his election as leader in 1965, all subsequent leaders have had similar educational and social backgrounds.

"He will be remembered for taking us into the Common Market, but I worked with him at the time of the Brandt Report and remember his passionate commitment to making poverty history before it became fashionable. We should remember that too."

Mr Luff continued: "He was a One Nation Conservative at home and abroad and his death robs us of a great statesman.

"No, he was not always easy personally, but those of us who had the privilege of working with him closely saw a man of great humour and compassion. I will miss him."