A political journalist known for his coverage of a city council’s defiance of Margaret Thatcher has died aged 71.

Tributes have been paid to former Peter Phelps, who served as local government editor of the Liverpool Echo.

In the role, Peter covered the years during which a regime led by Labour faction Militant ruled Liverpool City Council.

The local authority’s controversial defiance of Prime Minister Mrs Thatcher’s spending controls frequently made national and, sometimes, international headlines.

But, according to the Echo, Peter “repeatedly scooped his rivals with his fearless reporting and analysis”.

Former Echo picture editor and chief photographer Stephen Shakeshaft described Phelps as “a reporter who stood out from the rest.”

He told the newspaper: “He was a charming man, tall and well-spoken. In the [Derek] Hatton era he was the one who asked the questions that others didn’t want to.

“He was respected by journalists and politicians alike.

“This comes as an awful shock because he was such a fit man.

“He swam every day and was always walking hand-in-hand on the beach with his wife Carol, to whom he was absolutely devoted.”

Peter won several awards, including being named Journalist of the Year, for his investigations into the Militant Tendency and the council.

He was described the “go to” person for many other journalists and commentators wishing to know the background to the Militant reign which ultimately saw expulsions from the Labour Party and 47 councillors banned from office after they lost an appeal to the House of Lords.

Derek Hatton, who was deputy leader of the council in the Militant era, told the Echo: “Peter was never naturally a fan of the council or what we were doing but to his credit he did actually get it.”

He added: “He was an honest reporter who cared more about truth than career. He was definitely one of the best.”

Peter died peacefully last Tuesday after a short illness.

Arthur Johnson, who was on the Echo newsdesk in the 1980s, said: “He was a true pro. He was right at the sharp end of things during Liverpool’s chaotic political times but he could always cut through that chaos and deliver tight meaningful stories.

“Most of all he was a really nice guy and I always felt he could have gone on to great things on the national political stage.”

Kieran Devaney, former local government editor at Liverpool’s Radio City, added: “Peter was one of the few journalists who was able to navigate the labyrinth of the Merseyside political world.

“His succinct and accurate reporting was respected by politicians of all parties.

“It was an honour to have him both as a colleague and a friend.”

Peter is survived by wife Carol and children Becci and James.