Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd dies aged 73

Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd has died on the age of 73, his household stated in a press release at this time.

It comes only a week after the Rochdale MP revealed he was affected by an ‘untreatable’ type of leukaemia and had left hospital to ‘spend the time I’ve left with my household’.

The veteran politician spent two spells within the House of Commons, which got here both facet of a stint as Greater Manchester’s inaugural Police and Crime Commissioner and a interval because the area’s mayor.

His household’s assertion, revealed on the MP’s Twitter account, introduced Sir Tony died this morning and had been working till only a few days earlier than his loss of life.

It learn: ‘We are completely devastated to announce the loss of life of Sir Tony Lloyd MP, our beloved “Joe”, “Dad” and “Grandad”.

‘He died peacefully this morning surrounded by his household, as was his want.

‘He was working till just a few days earlier than his loss of life as his ardour was serving to others.

‘He devoted his life to serving and making a distinction to the lives of these he met together with his constituents, colleagues, family and friends.

‘We wish to thank all of the devoted docs, nurses, healthcare assistants and different hospital employees who’ve supplied him with care, in addition to the blood and platelet donors who gave him an additional 4 years of life.’

Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer described Sir Tony’s loss of life as a ‘horrible loss’ and stated the get together would ‘bear in mind his deep dedication to Labour values and his decency’. 

The get together’s deputy chief Angela Rayner stated she was ‘heartbroken’ on the lack of a ‘devoted buddy and rock of help’.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated Sir Tony’s loss of life was ‘very unhappy information’, including: ‘My ideas are with Sir Tony’s household, associates and the individuals of Manchester to whom he was devoted all through his life. May he relaxation in peace.’

The Lancashire-born politician was first elected to Parliament in 1983 when he succeeded Winston Churchill, the grandson of the previous prime minister, as MP for Stretford.

He then switched to the Manchester Central seat on the 1997 common election when constituency boundaries have been reformed.

Sir Tony served as a Foreign Office minister for 2 years in Sir Tony Blair’s first New Labour authorities.

He was elected as Greater Manchester’s inaugural Police and Crime Commissioner in 2012 after which grew to become the area’s interim mayor in 2015.

Sir Tony stood to be Labour’s candidate for the 2017 election for Greater Manchester mayor.

But he was crushed by Andy Burnham who went on to win the mayoral contest for the get together and has served ever since because the area’s elected consultant.

Sir Tony returned to the House of Commons as MP for Rochdale on the 2017 common election and went on to develop into shadow Northern Ireland secretary underneath Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn.

In April 2020, he was changed within the function by Louise Haigh shortly after being admitted to hospital with coronavirus.

After 25 days in hospital, together with a spell in an induced coma on a ventilator, Sir Tony was discharged practically two stone lighter and too weak to stroll 50 metres to a ready automobile with out the arm of a nurse.

As he continued his restoration, Sir Tony advised the Guardian in January 2021: ‘There’s this recognition that you just solely have a sure time left.

‘I’m 70 and as such you assume, nicely, I’m in all probability not going to be round in x years’ time, so use these years properly. Use as of late properly. That’s in all probability good recommendation for us all.’

In January final 12 months, Sir Tony revealed he was being handled with chemotherapy.

He stated his docs had advised him to ‘socially isolate and keep away from conferences’. 

Sir Tony knowledgeable his constituents he wouldn’t be attending Parliament throughout his remedy or assembly individuals in his Rochdale constituency or elsewhere.

But he stated he would proceed to carry recommendation surgical procedures by way of Zoom or phone.

Sir Tony most lately voted within the House of Commons when he opposed the Government’s Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill on 10 January.

Sir Keir stated in a press release: ‘The loss of life of Sir Tony is a horrible loss.

‘I do know your complete Labour Party, and plenty of past the get together, be a part of me in sending our deepest condolences to Tony’s spouse, Judith, his youngsters Siobhan, Angharad, Kieron and Ali, and his granddaughters, Carmen and Carys.

‘Like them, we are going to bear in mind his deep dedication to Labour values and his decency.

‘We will at all times be pleased about his dedication to public life, his devotion to his nation and his want to make the world a greater, fairer place.

‘In the Labour Party, we are going to honour his legacy of service to others and his dedication to justice. May he relaxation in peace.’

Ms Rayner posted on Twitter: ‘I’m heartbroken. Tony was not only a type colleague, however a devoted buddy and rock of help to so many people, considering of his constituents proper to the tip. His loss is deeply felt by the entire Labour household.

‘My love goes out to his household and to all those that knew him.’

Mr Corbyn wrote: ‘I’m so unhappy to study of the loss of life of Tony Lloyd. He was man & an expensive buddy. It was a pleasure to work with him.

‘We have been elected on the identical day in 1983 and I used to be proud to nominate him to the shadow cupboard. A good, type & fair-minded comrade. I’ll miss him enormously.’