Former Speaker Lord Weatherill dies

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The Prime Minister praised the Tory - who oversaw the introduction of television cameras in the chamber during his nine years at the helm - as a "real gentleman".

"Jack Weatherill was someone of immense courtesy and kindness who was an outstanding Speaker and will be missed by people from all parties," Mr Blair said.

Meanwhile, former Conservative Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine remembered Lord Weatherill's "firmness and tact" when in charge of the House.

"He was a very firm man and a very decisive man, who was never ambitious to hit the highlights of politics," he said.

"He concentrated on the administration of the Commons, ultimately becoming Speaker. He did that with great firmness and tact. He was a popular Speaker and a good one."

Veteran Tory MP Sir Patrick Cormack, who once himself campaigned for the Speakership, said: "I knew him as a gently persuasive whip who had a greater instinctive feel for the mood of the House of Commons than perhaps any other whip I have known."

Bernard "Jack" Weatherill served as MP for Croydon North East from 1964 until he retired in 1992 and entered the House of Lords.

He was Speaker between 1983 and 1992, and the last holder of the post to choose to wear the ceremonial wig - joking that it offered an excuse for hearing members selectively.

When footage from the Commons began being routinely broadcast in 1990, he gained fame around the world for the wit and calmness he displayed in handling often boisterous Prime Minister's Questions sessions.