Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s brother Nick has died after a battle with cancer.
The Prime Minister today paid tribute to his “wonderful” younger brother, who died on Boxing Day aged 60.
3
Nick Starmer has died aged 60 Credit: PA
3
The Prime Minister paid tribute to his ‘wonderful’ brotherCredit: PA
Sir Keir, 62, said: “My brother Nick was a wonderful man. He faced all the challenges life threw at him with courage and good humour.
“We will miss him dearly. I would like to thank everyone who treated and cared for Nick.”
Sir Keir added in a statement: “Their skill and compassion is greatly appreciated.”
A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: “It is with great sadness that we announce that Nick Starmer has passed away.
“Nick, 60, died peacefully on the afternoon of December 26 after a battle with cancer.”
The spokesperson added: “We are asking for privacy for Nick’s extended family at this time.”
The Prime Minister was due to go on holiday with his family today, but it is understood that he will now stay at home.
Nick and Sir Keir grew up together with their two sisters and parents.
Sir Keir told his biographer Tom Baldwin: “I shared a bunk bed with my brother in a room with an airing cupboard.
“There was just enough room for a couple of small tables to do our homework at.”
Nick had learning difficulties after complications at birth and was bullied at school.
Nick is understood to have gained a technical qualification and later worked in scrap cars and on scaffolding.
Sir Keir said: “We were a family of six so I didn’t feel lonely and I shared a room with him.
“But Nick didn’t have many friends and the other kids called him ‘fat’ or ‘stupid’.”
The prime minister added: “Even now I try to avoid using those words to describe anyone.”
Sir Keir also recalled his father, Rodney, telling him that because of the challenges he faced, “Nick has achieved as much as you have, Keir.”
The Prime Minister once said: “The whole thing is so touching. Nick had a really hard life. So the dream that mum and dad had for us didn’t come true.
“There’s a real, deep sadness in me about that for my brother and for them.”
3
It is understood Sir Keir and wife Victoria, seen here in November, have canceled a family holiday following the tragic loss. Credit: Getty
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education