DUP executive minister Edwin Poots reveals cancer diagnosis

Stormont minister Edwin Poots has been diagnosed with a cancerous growth on his kidney and fears it could spread because of surgery delays.

He told the BBC's Stephen Nolan the prognosis is good but he needs surgery.

The cancer was discovered when he was in hospital in December for emergency surgery to remove his appendix.

He said the announcement that all urgent cancer surgery was being cancelled due to coronavirus pressures "came as an awful blow".

"It is absolutely doubtless that there were will be excess deaths," the DUP agriculture minister said.

Mr Poots, who is currently on a waiting list for cancer surgery, said his political ideology had always been against private healthcare, but he is now contemplating having a private operation.

"I would never have taken out private health insurance because I have always believed that what is good enough for the public is good enough for me as a public representative," he told the Nolan Show.

"But whenever I need it, it is not here to help me because it is totally absorbed in dealing with Covid-19 and that's hugely disappointing at a personal level."

Mr Poots added he had not yet made a decision on paying for his surgery, but would give it "serious consideration".

"If I have to spend £10,000 or £15,000 - I don't know how much it would be to be honest - if I have to spent that, I will do, because it is better to have something out of you that has the potential to take your life than carry on," he told the programme.

"Some people may criticise me for that but I'm not going to give up my life for a political ideology."

The 55-year-old added: "Why would you let it spread to another organ, or let it grow, if you know the problem exists?

"My prognosis is good. I don't need chemotherapy. I don't need radio therapy. I need an operation."

The former health minister said he did not regret previously calling for some of the coronavirus restrictions to be lifted, despite health chiefs warning they were needed to protect the NHS.

He said he argued strongly that the executive needed to get tough on people who he described as "superspreaders" who ignored the law.

The assembly member for Lagan Valley said doctors believed he would need six weeks' recovery time.

Mr Poots, who had emergency surgery to remove his appendix in December, said he would be keen to get back to work as soon as possible.

"After my previous surgery, I got my iPad sent down to my hospital bed and got straight into my work again. I would get bored laying about," he said.

"I'll make that call with my party leader as to whether it is wise for me to carry on at that stage or whether I need to step back for a period of time. That's a judgment call I will make closer to the time."

DUP leader Arlene Foster said on Twitter that she had spoken to Mr Poots after he received his diagnosis.

The first minister added she was reassured by the support for her party colleague from across the political spectrum.

"He has great determination & is sustained by a loving wife, family & great faith," she tweeted.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill also tweeted a message of support for Mr Poots.

The Sinn Féin vice-president said she was thinking of Mr Poots and his family and sent him her best wishes.

Mr Poots said his Christian faith was playing a key role in getting him through.

"I believe God will bring me through this and he has made people who are extremely bright and capable to be able to do what is needed to be done to save my life," he added.

Listen to Edwin Poots's full interview with Stephen Nolan again on BBC Sounds.