Veteran Labour MP and former shadow secretary of state Tony Lloyd has revealed he has an untreatable form of leukaemia..
The 73-year-old served as shadow secretary of state for Northern Ireland from 2018-2020.
He was previously foreign minister in the late 1990s as part of Tony Blair’s government.
In 2020, he was admitted to intensive care after contracting Covid-19.
In a statement, the MP for Rochdale said he had been treated for blood cancer and had received chemotherapy.
“Unfortunately this has now transformed into an aggressive and untreatable form of leukaemia,” he said.
He asked for “privacy for both myself and my family at this time”.
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said news of his fellow MP’s illness was “devastating”.
The Foyle MP described Mr Lloyd as a “really good friend”, who had been source of support and guidance.
“We caught up in Derry a few months ago and he was in the best form, despite the pressure of ill health,” Mr Eastwood said.
“He is one of the kindest, most thoughtful and compassionate people in public life and he has had a life long commitment to Ireland and our peace process. My thoughts are with him and the whole family at a really difficult time for them all.”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Sir Tony, who he said was “admired and respected” across the party.