The Conservative peer and former Cabinet minister Lord Brittan has died at the age of 75.
His family said in a statement the former Home Secretary died last night at his home after a long battle with cancer.
They said: "It is with great regret that we announce the death of Leon Brittan.
"As a family, we should like to pay tribute to him as a beloved husband to Diana and brother to Samuel, and a supportive and loving stepfather to Katharine and Victoria, and step-grandfather to their children.
"We also salute his extraordinary commitment to British public life as a Member of Parliament, Minister, Cabinet Minister, European Commissioner and Peer - together with a distinguished career in law, and latterly in business.
"Leon passed away last night at his home in London after a long battle with cancer. We shall miss him enormously. There will be a private funeral service for family only, and a memorial service to be announced."
Lord Brittan was a key figure in Margaret Thatcher's government and was prominent in the 1984-85 miners' strike for his criticism of the union.
Leon Brittan was elected as MP for Cleveland and Whitby in 1974 and then for Richmond, Yorks in 1983 when he became the youngest Home Secretary since Winston Churchill.
In 1984 he led the Government response to the shooting of police woman Yvonne Fletcher outside the Libyan embassy in London because both Mrs Thatcher and Foreign Secretary Geoffrey Howe were away.
Lord Brittan resigned as Trade and Industry Secretary in 1986 over his handling of the Westland affair.
He went on to become a European Commissioner, spending ten years in the role and rising to vice-president of the Commission between 1989 and 1993. Nick Clegg was a member of his office.
More recently Lord Brittan has returned to the spotlight after claims he was handed a dossier containing details of allegations of a paedophile ring operating in Westminster in the 1980s.
He was accused of failing to act on the evidence passed to him.
Lord Hestletine told Sky News Lord Brittan was a "talented and highly respected minister" and that they had in later years enjoyed a friendship despite the differences that emerged during the Westland affair.
Lord Lamont, former Cabinet Colleague said he had been very "brave and stoical" during his illness and added he was a kind man and one of the "brightest of his generation".
Lord Deben - who served alongside Lord Brittan in Margaret Thatcher's administration as John Gummer - said: "Very sad to see Leon Brittan has died. A good and honourable servant of his country. A decent and lasting friend. He will be sorely missed."
Speaking in the House of Commons as the news was announced William Hague, who replaced Lord Brittan as MP for Richmond, paid tribute and gave his condolences to the family.
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