Disabled rights campaigner Lord Ashley of Stoke, the first deaf MP, has died aged 89, it was announced today.

The Labour peer passed away last night after a short illness, his family said.

BBC presenter Andrew Marr, who is married to the peer's columnist daughter Jackie Ashley, said: "Lord Ashley of Stoke, the former Labour MP Jack Ashley, died last night, April 20, after a short illness at the age of 89."