THROUGH his newspaper articles and speeches in the House of Commons, I came to admire Michael Foot, who died last week at the age of 96.

During the early days of The Independent’s publication in 1986, Mr Foot contributed a book review column which was very enjoyable.

One of his most remarkable pieces, however, appeared in the Daily Mirror in response to the paper’s political columnist, Terence Lancaster, who had spoken of his intention to leave the Labour Party.

It was Mr Foot’s piece that persuaded him otherwise.

LD Wilson, Guisborough, East Cleveland.