British author Jeffrey Archer, who wrote a series of best-selling novels, served as a Conservative MP and was convicted of perjury, is dead.

His publisher, HarperCollins, said in a statement on Monday that Mr Archer died “suddenly and peacefully at his home between writing sessions.”

He was 86.

Mr Archer, whose editor Kate Elton described him as a “master storyteller and an editor’s dream”, was due to appear at Cheltenham Literary Festival this week to discuss his latest novel, Adam and Eve.

The author reportedly signed books for fans at an event in London on Sunday.

His demise came years after he disclosed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014.

The deceased was tried for perjury and perverting the course of justice after a friend admitted he had supplied a false alibi during a libel case the peer brought against the Daily Star tabloid in 1987.

Mr Archer, who became a member of parliament at 29, was renowned for his best-selling books, including ‘Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less’, ‘First Among Equals’, ‘A Prisoner of Birth’ and ‘Adam & Eve’.

Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch described Mr Archer’s death as a huge shock and condoled with his family.

“This is a huge shock. I am incredibly saddened to hear this news. He had sent me a lovely message just this morning and was always a great source of encouragement to me personally. I can’t believe he’s gone. He was a dear friend to so many of us and the Conservative Family will be reeling at this news,” Ms Badenoch said in a statement on Monday.