Veteran Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd has 'aggressive and untreatable' leukaemia

Over the past few weeks, we have had several pieces of sad news when it comes to health updates and deaths of people in the public eye. Yesterday, it was announced that Emmerdale and Hollyoaks actress Georgina Hale had died at age 80, leaving fans devastated. We also had a shock for the football world as former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson announced earlier this week that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Now, Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd has released a statement explaining that he has been dealing with treatment for ‘a form of blood cancer which has been controlled by chemotherapy’. Here’s what’s happening with his health and how people have reacted to the news.

MP Sir Tony Lloyd’s 'aggressive and untreatable' disease

The veteran politician, who is 73, has represented Greater Manchester for over 40 years. In his statement, posted to his personal website, he explains that he has been receiving treatment but his health has worsened:

Unfortunately this has now transformed into an aggressive and untreatable form of leukaemia and I will be leaving hospital today to spend the time I have left with my family.

I ask for privacy for both myself and my family at this time.

He insists that his office will still be open and working for his constituents, continuing to support them despite this difficult situation.

Reactions to the news

Labour leader Keir Starmer has said he is ‘deeply saddened’ by the news, and added that Sir Tony is ‘admired and respected throughout the Labour Party’ as a long-standing MP:

We are indebted to him for his lifetime of service. Our thoughts are with him and his family at this time.

Sir Tony, who first entered parliament in 1983, has held a number of positions, including chair of the parliamentary Labour Party. He also took five years away from Westminster to serve as Greater Manchester's police and crime commissioner. Most recently, he held the position of shadow Scotland secretary - a role he unfortunately had to resign from to recover from Covid-19.

When the news broke, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said:

Tony has been a good friend and incredibly supportive throughout my time as a trade unionist and member of Parliament.

Always on the end of the phone when you needed him. The news today is heartbreaking and all my love goes out to him and his family.

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Sources used:

Mail Online: Veteran Labour MP Tony Lloyd reveals he's now suffering from 'untreatable' leukaemia as he leaves hospital to 'spend the time I have left with my family'

Sky News: Veteran Labour MP Sir Tony Lloyd says he has untreatable form of leukaemia

tonylloyd.org