Tributes paid to Lord Ashley

Lord Jack Ashley died today, aged 89.

David Cameron has led tributes to disabled rights campaigner Lord Ashley, the Labour peer who died aged 89 after a short illness.

Jack Ashley won the seat of Stoke-on-Trent South in 1966, but lost his hearing less than two years later after an unsuccessful ear operation.

After initially fearing he would be forced to give up politics, Ashley learned to lip-read.

Other MPs, including political foes such as Prime Minister Edward Heath, turned towards him during Commons debates so he could get a clear view of their mouths.

BBC presenter Andrew Marr, who is married to Lord Ashley's daughter columnist Jackie Ashley, paid this tribute:

Jackie Ashley paid tribute to her "brave and adored father", who died after a short battle with pneumonia. She also said his family have been "touched" by the tributes paid to him.

Professor Mark Haggard, chairman of Deafness Research UK, the charity founded in 1985 by Lord and Lady Ashley of Stoke, pays tribute.

Lord Morris of Manchester, a fellow Labour peer who collaborated with Lord Ashley when campaigning for disability rights, paid tribute to his colleague and long-standing friend.

Lord Ashley is survived by his three daughters, Jackie Ashley, Jane Ashley, and Caroline Ashley.