Andy Burnham's father Roy dies aged 86 after living with Alzheimer's
The father of Prime Minister Andy Burnham has passed away after suffering from Alzheimer’s.
The Labour party leader has cancelled his engagements for both today and tomorrow following the death of his dad Roy at the age of 86.
Burnham has spoken openly about his father's health battles, which meant that he did not know his son had become Prime Minister.
The experience is one of the driving factors in the Prime Minister’s aim to reform the social care system.
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Burnham had been due to host business leaders in No 10 on Monday afternoon.
Before he took over Downing Street in July, the politician revealed that his dad was unaware that he would be taking office due to his Alzheimer’s.
"That’s a sadness because he would be [proud]," he previously told The Telegraph. “The way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn’t know it.”
Burnham said his dad was a big fan of switching the voting system to proportional representation and had subsequently talked him round to the idea.
"I don’t think he’s ever realised, because of his condition, that I’ve come round to PR, which is one of his missions – to get me to accept that," he said.
Describing the close bond he shared with Roy, Burnham also reflected on how he would visit his dad in the care home he resided at along with his two brothers and mum.
"All five of us together, which was a nice thing," he added.
More to follow.
Olivia Burke