French ex-PM Michel Rocard dies aged 85 Published duration 2 July 2016

image copyright Reuters image caption Michel Rocard died in hospital in Paris

Former French Prime Minister Michel Rocard has died aged 85, French media report.

Mr Rocard, a socialist, served as prime minister from 1988 to 1991 under President Francois Mitterrand.

He was regarded as a staunch advocate of the European Union who fought for a left-wing agenda that also embraced a market economy.

The office of President Francois Hollande said France had lost "a great figure of the Republic and the left".

Mr Rocard died in a Paris hospital on Saturday, his son Francis told AFP news agency.

Michel Rocard caused controversy in 1998 when he labelled Mr Mitterrand, who had died three years earlier, dishonest.

In a magazine article, Mr Rocard spoke of a government "clique" under Mr Mitterrand, saying he took the office of prime minister to protect France.