Blackburn born Labour peer dies, aged 75
He was the leader of the Parliamentary party throughout the 90s and noughties
Blackburn born Labour peer Lord Alan Haworth has died.
The party said he suffered a heart attack on Monday morning, whilst on holiday in Iceland with his wife.
He was a secretary of the parliamentary Labour Party from 1992 to 2004, then became a member of the House of Lords.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer led tributes to the peer, who had a keen interest in the party's history, co-authoring a book on the first 29 Labour MPs elected in 1906.
"Alan Haworth was a dedicated servant of the Labour Party and a diligent student of its history," said Sir Keir.
"Alan worked for the party in both the House of Commons as PLP secretary and then in the House of Lords as a working peer, without fuss or fanfare but with an absolute determination to make life better for working people.
"He played a key role in delivering Labour's 1997 landslide and ensuring the party was re-elected. Alan will be greatly missed on both the green and red benches in Parliament."
Former Labour prime minister Sir Tony Blair said: "Alan was one of my close friends, a wonderful, warm and witty companion.
"You never had a dull evening with Alan, and I had many of them."
There will be a private funeral with a memorial celebration planned for a future date.