Rumpole creator Mortimer dies at 85

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The creator of Rumpole Of The Bailey combined successful careers in both the legal and literary worlds.

Tony Lacey, his editor at Viking, said: "It's hard to think he's gone. At least we're lucky enough to have Rumpole to remind us just how remarkable he was."

Mortimer was a hugely prolific author of plays, novels and TV and film scripts.

He managed to fit his writing around his work as a barrister, which included high-profile appearances in obscenity cases including the Oz magazine trial.

A self-styled "Champagne socialist", he was an outspoken supporter of the Labour Party and a vigorous critic of Margaret Thatcher's government.

But he will be best remembered for the Rumpole books, about an Old Bailey criminal defence barrister, which were made into a popular TV series.