Northern Ireland

Tributes paid to former shadow NI Secretary Tony Lloyd following death

The Labour MP served as shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland between 2018 and 2020

Tony Lloyd pictured with SDLP leader Colum Eastwood during a visit to Derry by the Labour MP last year. PICTURE: COLUM EASTWOOD/X
Tony Lloyd pictured with SDLP leader Colum Eastwood during a visit to Derry by the Labour MP last year. PICTURE: COLUM EASTWOOD/X
By Paul Ainsworth

Former shadow Secretary of State for the north Tony Lloyd will be remembered for his “strong affinity and connection with Ireland” following his death at the age of 73.

The Labour MP for Rochdale died on Wednesday morning, his family confirmed.

Rochdale MP Sir Tony Lloyd died on Wednesday, his family has announced
Rochdale MP Sir Tony Lloyd died on Wednesday morning, his family has announced. PICTURE: LIAM MCBURNEY (Liam McBurney/PA)

His death comes less than a week after he revealed he had an untreatable form of leukaemia and had been receiving chemotherapy.

In 2020 he was admitted to intensive care in hospital for treatment after contracting Covid-19.

Mr Lloyd was appointed shadow Northern Ireland Secretary by then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2018, and served until 2020.

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The veteran MP had previously served as UK foreign minister under prime minister Tony Blair between 1997 and 1999.

His family said in a statement posted to the X platform that they were “absolutely devastated” at his loss.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan (centre) and Shadow Secretary of State Tony Lloyd (right) walk over the cross-border Lifford Bridge. Photograph by Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan and Shadow Secretary of State Tony Lloyd walking over the cross-border Lifford Bridge. PICTURE: LIAM MCBURNEY/PA

“He was working until a few days before his death as his passion was helping others,” they said.

“He devoted his life to serving and making a difference to the lives of those he met including his constituents, colleagues, friends and family.”

The statement also thanked blood and platelet donors who had helped Mr Lloyd during his treatment for leukaemia, who gave him “an extra four years of life”.

Labour leader Keir Starmer offered condolences to Mr Lloyd’s family, adding in a statement: “Like them, we will remember his deep commitment to Labour values and his decency.”

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn paid tribute to his “dear friend”.

“We were elected on the same day in 1983 and I was proud to appoint him to the shadow cabinet,” he said.

“A decent, kind and fair-minded comrade. I will miss him greatly.”

Another former shadow Northern Ireland Secretary, Labour’s Vernon Coaker, said Mr Lloyd was a “champion of social justice”.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said Mr Lloyd was “a good friend and a great political figure”, and spoke of his fellow MP’s visit to Derry last year.

“Like many others who had the privilege of knowing him, I am devastated to have lost a fierce friend and a good person,” he said.

“In an age when the dividing lines between opponents are stark, Tony effortlessly built enduring relationships with people from every political persuasion. It is a testament to his character that he will count so many from such across the spectrum of parties as friends and supporters.

“Tony has such a strong affinity and connection with Ireland. I was delighted to have him with us in Derry over the summer. He was full of advice, support and good craic. He was as at home in Derry or Donegal as he was with his beloved family in Rochdale and Manchester.”