Widely known for his calm demeanour and dedication to public service, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has found himself in the middle of a new tragedy. His younger brother, Nick Starmer, passed away on Boxing Day at the age of 60 after a long fight with cancer.
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The labour party leader—who has an interesting story behind his name—shared the sad news while paying tribute to his brother, describing him as a ‘wonderful man’ who faced life’s challenges with courage and good humour.
Everything we know about Nick Starmer’s death
Nick’s battle with cancer wasn’t the only thing affecting his life. Born as a twin to Keir’s sister Katy, Nick’s early years were marked by complications during his birth. This led to subsequent learning difficulties that shaped his journey. He faced many health struggles over the years but was known for his courage and humour even during difficult times, reports MailOnline.
In a heartfelt statement, Keir Starmer expressed gratitude to the healthcare professionals who cared for Nick during his illness and said:
My brother Nick was a wonderful man. He met all the challenges life threw at him with courage and good humour.
We will miss him very much. I would like to thank all those who treated and took care of Nick. Their skill and compassion is very much appreciated.
The Starmer family, growing up in Surrey, shared a close-knit relationship. Keir and Nick’s bond was particularly strong, having shared a room and a bunk bed until they were 18. In recent years, Keir spoke openly about the challenges Nick faced, including the bullying he endured at school due to his condition. During Nick’s battle with cancer, the Prime Minister regularly visited him at a Leeds hospital, ensuring he remained a source of support during his brother’s final days.
The 62-year-old, who was supposed to go on a holiday for New Year, is understood to be staying home now.
A string of tragedies for Keir Starmer
Nick’s death is the latest in a string of personal tragedies that have profoundly affected Sir Keir Starmer. In 2015, he lost his mother, Jo Starmer, to Still’s disease, a rare and debilitating form of arthritis. According to Mirror, Jo’s death occurred just weeks before Keir was elected as an MP and she never got to see him in office.
Jo’s passing had a significant impact on Keir’s father. Devised by the death of his wife, he became a recluse. In a three-hour talk with Piers Morgan earlier this year, Keir shared:
When she died, it broke him. She was his whole life.
In 2020, Keir’s family faced another devastating loss when his mother-in-law Barbara died following an accident. Barbara was hospitalised in intensive care at St Mary’s Hospital in London and passed away two weeks later, reports The Independent. The loss deeply affected the Starmer couple and impacted their day-to-day life. This tragedy unfolded while Keir campaigned to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader, forcing him to suspend his activities temporarily.
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Sources used:
MailOnline: Keir Starmer's younger brother Nick dies of cancer aged 60: Prime Minister pays tribute to 'wonderful' sibling after he passed away on Boxing Day
Mirror: Keir Starmer 'breaks down in tears' recalling string of family tragedies
The Independent: Keir Starmer’s mother-in-law dies two weeks after accident
