Sir Tony Lloyd: MPs hold minute's silence following his death

The House of Commons has observed a minute's silence in memory of Sir Tony Lloyd.

The 73-year-old died on Wednesday days after announcing he was suffering from an incurable form of leukaemia.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said he would be "be sadly missed from all sides of the House".

Sir Tony was first elected to represent Stretford in 1983 and also served as MP for Manchester Central after boundary changes.

During his second stint in the Commons, Sir Tony represented Rochdale since 2017.

Shadow Commons leader Lucy Powell, who succeeded Sir Tony as Labour MP for Manchester Central in 2012, said: "The words spoken about Tony since his passing yesterday, and because they've come from across this House and the political divide, really are a reflection of the special person he was.

"Kind, sincere, driven by his deep values and principles, working with everyone he needed to to further a cause and always with integrity and humanity."

She added Sir Tony "went about his politics differently".

"For him, politics was all about relationships and discussion, whether in this place, internationally, on the street or in his beloved pub.

"That's what earned him so much loyalty from everyone who knew him because he was such a thoroughly nice bloke."

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said: "The tributes paid to him already illustrate the gentle and kind nature he had and the breadth and depth of his public service, and he was still doing that - as (Ms Powell) testified to - right up until the end."

MPs will have a chance to pay further tributes to Sir Tony at a later date, Sir Lindsay confirmed.

In a post on social media, his relatives said he had been working a few days before his death.

The family described the father-of-four, who was born in Stretford, as "our beloved 'Joe,' 'Dad' and 'Grandad'".

In a statement posted on X, they added: "He died peacefully this morning surrounded by his family, as was his wish."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to Sir Tony's "desire to make the world a better, fairer place".

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak replied to the family announcement and said: "Very sad news. My thoughts are with Sir Tony's family, friends and the people of Manchester to whom he was devoted throughout his life.

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described Sir Tony as a "dear friend", while Sir Lindsay said: "Tony was the best of us - and I will miss him."

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