The former MP for Finchley and Golders Green has died of cancer at the age of 69.

Rudi Vis, who served the constituency, once Margaret Thatcher's seat, as Labour MP from 1997 until 2010, stood down at the last election because of ill health.

Before entering parliament Mr Vis worked as an economics lecturer, then stood as a councillor three times.

As MP, he became known for speaking against the war in Iraq and as a strongly pro-European figure.

He was involved in the campaign for justice for the murdered Jewish student Jeremiah Duggan.

He is survived by his wife and 15-year-old twin children.

In May the seat was re-taken for the Conservatives with a majority of 5,809 votes by Mike Freer.