Keir Starmer and Gordon Brown join mourners at Labour's Sir Tony Lloyd funeral

16 February 2024 , 14:22

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Keir Starmer and Gordon Brown join mourners at Labour's Sir Tony Lloyd funeral

Keir Starmer and Gordon Brown were among mourners as Labour stalwart Sir Tony Lloyd was laid to rest.

The former Rochdale MP died aged 73 in January following a cancer battle. The funeral for Sir Tony - who served as an MP up until his death - took place at St. Hugh of Lincoln RC Church in Stretford, Greater Manchester.

Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner delivered the eulogy for the veteran Labour politician, while other MPs from the party also came to pay their respects. Ms Rayner told mourners that Sir Tony's “dedication to public service knew no bounds”. And Mr Brown said he was “brave and tireless in his fight for justice”.

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner were among those who paid tribute to Sir Tony Lloyd (Getty Images)

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell, as well as Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham were all in attendance.

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

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Guests were given an order of service at the funeral (Getty Images)

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper was also in attendance (Getty Images)

He returned to Parliament in 2017 as MP for Rochdale, and continued working right up to his death. Sir Tony died peacefully at home on January 17 after leaving hospital the week before to spend his final days with his family. He announced that he had been receiving chemotherapy for blood cancer but the illness had "transformed into an aggressive and untreatable form of leukaemia".

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown attended the service (Getty Images)

When his family announced his death, they said: "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 until a few days before his death as his passion was helping others. 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 hearse carried Sir Tony Lloyd's coffin to his funeral at St. Hugh of Lincoln RC Church in Stretford, Greater Manchester

Labour leader Keir Starmer said his death was a "terrible loss" and said he would be remembered for his "deep commitment to Labour values and his decency". Mr Starmer said: "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 said she was "heartbroken" at the news. 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."

Shadow Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell paid tribute to Sir Tony (Getty Images)

Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey also attended the service (ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Speaking in the Commons after his death, Rishi Sunak said Sir Tony was an "enormously decent man who gave his life to public service", adding: "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 beginning of his career right to the end, Tony Lloyd lived those words. He was a great family man, a great man of Manchester and a great man of the House of Commons. He will be missed but he and the change he fought for and achieved will never 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 people.

Sophie Huskisson