Known as “Wellers” by both colleagues and rivals he joined the Express as a general reporter in 1964 and within two years was assistant news editor.

Then for nine years he covered union affairs, the TUC and party political conferences before moving to the Daily Star on its launch in 1978.

There he continued his industrial role until he was appointed Political Editor based in the House of Commons in 1988.

During national service he served with the Intelligence Corps as a code-breaker based at HQ BAOR in Rheindahlen, West Germany.

Peter died after a long illness at his home in Mobberley, Cheshire on Sunday. 

He was 79.