In the second round of voting by party MPs Mr Foot defeated his main rival Denis Healey by 139 votes to 129 - an unexpectedly large margin.

The result has surprised political commentators who had predicted Mr Healey would win.

Mr Healey, who served as chancellor in James Callaghan's government until its defeat last year, had won the first round easily, with 112 votes to Mr Foot's 83.

Divided party

It is believed MPs switched their vote from Mr Healey because Mr Foot's popularity as an MP, even among his opponents, is considered most likely to unite the party.

Deep divisions between the left and right of the party emerged last month at the party conference.

After the result was announced, Mr Healey commented, "Naturally, I am disappointed."

He has pledged to stand for deputy leader, and is also expected to take the position of shadow spokesman on foreign affairs.

The leadership contest was called after the former Prime Minister James Callaghan announced he was stepping down from the leadership three weeks ago.

Dismay

Mr Foot's appointment has dismayed many on the right of the party.

Three of Labour's most prominent figures - former government ministers David Owen, William Rogers and Shirley Williams - have already said they cannot remain in a party that championed Mr Foot's main policies.

However, Mr Foot, at 67 the father-figure of the Labour left, declared in his acceptance speech that he would not compromise his left-leaning views.

He told journalists, "I am as strong in my socialist convictions as I have ever been."

He said he considered the two most important issues facing him to be nuclear disarmament and unemployment.

Mr Foot plans to lead the protest march against high unemployment planned for 29 November on Merseyside.

He also challenged the Conservative leader and Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, to hold an election as soon as possible.

A former journalist, Mr Foot served as employment secretary and leader of the House of Commons until Labour lost the election last year.

He is highly popular on all political sides in Westminster, and is known for his intellect and his witty speaking style.

He has run for the leadership before, losing in 1975 to Mr Callaghan, who went on to become prime minister.

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