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Former PM Sir Edward Heath dies
Former Conservative Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath has died at the age of 89.
His spokesman had said earlier on Sunday Sir Edward was gravely ill and receiving medical attention at home.
Sir Edward, who was knighted in 1992, won his first seat for the Tories in Bexley in 1950 and led the 1970-74 Conservative Government.
He took Britain into the European Economic Community and sent troops to Northern Ireland. In 1975 he lost the leadership to Margaret Thatcher.
Blighted by unrest
Earlier the spokesman said: "Sir Edward Heath, who celebrated his 89th birthday with a party at his home in Salisbury a week ago, has recently become considerably weaker.
"He is now nearing the end of his life.
"Sir Edward is resting quietly at home where he is receiving all appropriate medical care and is supported by visits from friends."
Sir Edward's term in office was blighted by industrial action and problems with the economy.
With the country on a three-day week and rubbish piling up in the streets, the miners threatened to bring his government down.
Industrial unrest, combined with economic difficulties, led to the Tories being pushed from power in February 1974.
Sir Edward never forgave Mrs Thatcher for ousting him as leader and refused to serve in her cabinet.
After more than 50 years as an MP he retired from politics in 2001.
In 2003, Sir Edward's health deteriorated while he was on holiday in Austria.
He was being treated for a minor stomach upset at Salzburg's main hospital when tests revealed he was suffering from a pulmonary embolism - a blood clot on the lung. Sir Edward, a bachelor, was famed for his love of music and sailing, in which he competed at international level.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4691051.stm
It's a shame. I wasn't alive when he was PM (he was voted out of office about 11 years before I was born) but from all I've read and been told he was a good PM, albeit one blighted by disastrous issues of the day.
Former Conservative Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath has died at the age of 89.
His spokesman had said earlier on Sunday Sir Edward was gravely ill and receiving medical attention at home.
Sir Edward, who was knighted in 1992, won his first seat for the Tories in Bexley in 1950 and led the 1970-74 Conservative Government.
He took Britain into the European Economic Community and sent troops to Northern Ireland. In 1975 he lost the leadership to Margaret Thatcher.
Blighted by unrest
Earlier the spokesman said: "Sir Edward Heath, who celebrated his 89th birthday with a party at his home in Salisbury a week ago, has recently become considerably weaker.
"He is now nearing the end of his life.
"Sir Edward is resting quietly at home where he is receiving all appropriate medical care and is supported by visits from friends."
Sir Edward's term in office was blighted by industrial action and problems with the economy.
With the country on a three-day week and rubbish piling up in the streets, the miners threatened to bring his government down.
Industrial unrest, combined with economic difficulties, led to the Tories being pushed from power in February 1974.
Sir Edward never forgave Mrs Thatcher for ousting him as leader and refused to serve in her cabinet.
After more than 50 years as an MP he retired from politics in 2001.
In 2003, Sir Edward's health deteriorated while he was on holiday in Austria.
He was being treated for a minor stomach upset at Salzburg's main hospital when tests revealed he was suffering from a pulmonary embolism - a blood clot on the lung. Sir Edward, a bachelor, was famed for his love of music and sailing, in which he competed at international level.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4691051.stm
RIP