Former Labour minister Dame Tessa Jowell dies following brain cancer battle
3 min read
Former Cabinet Minister Dame Tessa Jowell has died at the age of 70, following a battle with brain cancer.
The Labour peer, who was diagnosed with the illness in May last year, suffered a haemorrhage on Friday, and had been in a coma, a spokesman for the family said.
They added that Dame Tessa died peacefully at her Warwickshire home on Saturday, with her husband and children by her side.
Her death comes just months after she used an emotional speech in the House of Lords calling for better access to alternative cancer treatments.
The heartfelt intervention in January sparked a rare tribute from peers who rose to offer her a standing ovation.
In her speech, she urged colleagues to support the Eliminate Cancer Initiative to improve cancer survival under the NHS, which is the worst in Western Europe.
And she said brain surgery centres should have better access to the best treatments - including a special dye that helps surgeons identify tumours.
Dame Tessa was regarded as having played a pivotal role in securing the 2012 Olympics for London when she served as culture secretary, before taking on the role of Minister for the Olympics and Minister for London.
The family spokesman said: “It is with great sadness, and an enormous sense of loss, that we announce the death of Tessa Jowell.
They added: “In addition to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in recent months doctors tried innovative new treatments which Tessa gladly embraced, but sadly the tumour recently progressed very quickly.
“The family would like to thank people for the overwhelming support Tessa and they have received since she became ill.
“They have been touched and moved by the response, in both Houses of Parliament; from members of the public; and other cancer patients and their families around the world.”
Tony Blair was among a host of senior political figures who paid tribute to Dame Tessa.
The former Prime Minister said: "There was no-one like Tessa and no-one better. I will miss her more than I can say.
"My thoughts and prayers, and those of Cherie and all the family, are with David and her wonderful family of whom she was justly very proud."
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