Former Birkenhead MP Frank Field dies aged 81
He revealed he was terminally ill in 2021
Last updated 24th Apr 2024
Former Labour minister and crossbench peer Frank Field has died at the age of 81, his family has announced.
Lord Field of Birkenhead died in a London care home on Tuesday night following a period of illness, and is survived by two brothers.
He revealed he was terminally ill in October 2021 and had spent time in a hospice when a statement from him was read out in the House of Lords calling for laws on assisted dying to be relaxed.
The statement announcing his death, issued by his Parliamentary researcher Daniel Sanchez, said: "He will be mourned by admirers across politics, but above all he will be greatly missed by those lucky enough to have enjoyed his laughter and friendship."
Labour former minister Dame Angela Eagle paid tribute to Lord Field on X, formerly Twitter, saying: "Very sad news. Always supportive of me as his Parliamentary neighbour, brimming with ideas to make society better - a great champion of his Birkenhead constituents: RIP Frank"
Lord Field took his seat in the upper chamber in October 2020 after being elected 10 times to represent Birkenhead between 1979 and 2019.
He served as welfare reform minister in Tony Blair's first government in 1997 and went on to chair the Work and Pensions Select Committee.
He later resigned the Labour whip over antisemitism and "nastiness" in the party under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.
The veteran politician was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in the 2022 New Year Honours, describing it at the time as a "terrific privilege".
The acknowledgement of Lord Field's public and political service followed a career in which he showed support for causes including pensions reform, ending child poverty and stamping out modern slavery.
He served on the boards of the charities Cool Earth and Feeding Britain, as well as the Frank Field Education Trust.