DORSET MP Jim Knight was among those paying tribute to former Labour leader Michael Foot, who died yesterday aged 96.

Mr Foot – who visited Dorset repeatedly during his three years as opposition leader – led Labour when it suffered its worst ever electoral defeat in 1983. But Mr Knight, Labour MP for South Dorset, was among those remembering him for keeping the party alive.

“He was a public figure of great principle who served the south west as a Plymouth MP,” he said.

“There will be great sadness in parliament on all sides that he’s died but hugely so in the Labour Party.

“His role as leader in keeping the Labour Party going in one of its darkest hours in the early 1980s is something that’s under-estimated.”