Keir Starmer and Gordon Brown be part of mourners at Labour’s Sir Tony Lloyd funeral

Keir Starmer and Gordon Brown had been amongst mourners as Labour stalwart Sir Tony Lloyd was laid to relaxation.

The former Rochdale MP died aged 73 in January following a most cancers battle. The funeral for Sir Tony – who served as an MP up till his loss of life – occurred at St. Hugh of Lincoln RC Church in Stretford, Greater Manchester.

Deputy Labour chief Angela Rayner delivered the eulogy for the veteran Labour politician, whereas different MPs from the social gathering additionally got here to pay their respects. Ms Rayner advised mourners that Sir Tony’s “dedication to public service knew no bounds”. And Mr Brown stated he was “brave and tireless in his fight for justice”.

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell, in addition to Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham had been all in attendance.

Sir Tony was an MP for 36 years, serving Stretford from 1983 to 1997, Manchester Central from 1997 to 2012 earlier than turning into Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner and interim Mayor of Greater Manchester.

He returned to Parliament in 2017 as MP for Rochdale, and continued working proper as much as his loss of life. Sir Tony died peacefully at dwelling on January 17 after leaving hospital the week earlier than to spend his last days along with his household. He introduced that he had been receiving chemotherapy for blood most cancers however the sickness had “transformed into an aggressive and untreatable form of leukaemia”.

When his household introduced his loss of life, they stated: “We are absolutely devastated to announce the death of Sir Tony Lloyd MP, our beloved Joe’, ‘Dad’ and ‘Grandad’. He died peacefully this morning surrounded by his family, as was his wish.

“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, buddies, and household.”

Labour chief Keir Starmer stated his loss of life was a “terrible loss” and stated he could be remembered for his “deep commitment to Labour values and his decency”. Mr Starmer stated: “We will always be grateful for his dedication to public life, his devotion to his country and his desire to make the world a better, fairer place. In the Labour Party, we will honour his legacy of service to others and his commitment to justice. May he rest in peace.”

Labour‘s Deputy Leader Angela Rayner stated she was “heartbroken” on the information. She tweeted: “Tony was not just a kind colleague, but a dedicated friend and rock of support to so many of us, thinking of his constituents right to the end. His loss is deeply felt by the whole Labour family. My love goes out to his family and to all those who knew him.”

Speaking within the Commons after his loss of life, Rishi Sunak stated Sir Tony was an “enormously decent man who gave his life to public service”, including: “In his penultimate contribution in this House, Tony said that change can happen and we must fight for the change we want to see.

“From the start of his profession proper to the tip, Tony Lloyd lived these phrases. He was an important household man, an important man of Manchester and an important man of the House of Commons. He can be missed however he and the change he fought for and achieved won’t ever be forgotten.”

A by-election was triggered in Rochdale following the death of Sir Tony. It will be held on February 29. Labour however has withdrawn its support for its candidate Azhar Ali over comments he allegedly made about Israel and Jewish folks.