Blair says Callaghan will be remembered with respect

Here is his statement in full.

Jim Callaghan was one of the giants of the Labour movement whose long and active life almost spans the history of the party he served so superbly.

He worked tirelessly to put into action the values of social justice, solidarity and opportunity for all which brought him into politics and the

Labour Party.

He was one of the generation who fought in the war and came back determined to build a better, fairer and different Britain in peace.

In difficult times in the Labour Governments of 1964-70 and 1974-79 he occupied key offices of state with great distinction.

Counsel sought

When he finally became Prime Minister in 1976, he had a very small majority and a changing set of political times to contend with, which meant his tenure was short.

Nonetheless, in that brief period he came to deserve and receive great respect as a leader and as a man.

He used all his skill, intelligence and resource to keep the Government together. His initiation of the major debate on the future of the education system still bears reading today.

In later times, I sought his counsel on many occasions and found his judgement and common sense invariably sound.

He was a patriot, a loyal servant of party and country and a devoted husband and father. His love for Audrey was very special.