Andy Burnham’s father Roy, 86, dies after living with Alzheimer’s diseaseAndy Burnham has spoken about his father’s illness which meant that he did not know his son had become Prime Minister
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Michael Howie, Senior News Editor2 minutes ago
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cancelled engagements on Monday and Tuesday following the death of his father Roy, 86, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s, Downing Street said.
Mr Burnham has spoken about his father’s illness 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.
Mr Burnham had been due to host business leaders in No 10 on Monday afternoon.
In an interview with The Times before moving into Downing Street in July, Mr Burnham told of his “sadness” that his father’s battle with dementia meant he would not know of his son’s success.
Andy Burnham hugs his parents Eileen and Roy after he was selected as the Labour candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester on August 9, 2016PA
“That’s a sadness because he would be (proud),” Mr Burnham said.
“The way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well.
“A whole family achievement although he doesn’t know it.”
In a major speech about reform of social care later that month, Mr Burnham promised to help “my dad and the millions like him” faced with the unfairness of the current system.
Breaking news. This article is being updated.
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