Commons Speaker ‘bereft’ after death of father Lord Doug Hoyle

Sir Lindsay Hoyle says he has lost his ‘inspiration’ after Labour peer and former MP dies aged 98

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, has said he is “‘bereft” following the death of his father, Lord Doug Hoyle, at the age of 98.
Lord Hoyle served as a Labour MP for 21 years, representing Nelson and Colne from 1974 to 1979, Warrington between 1981 and 1983 and Warrington North from 1983 to 1997.
He was the chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party during his final five years in the Commons under John Smith and then Sir Tony Blair.
In a statement, Sir Lindsay, 66, said his father had died peacefully at his home on Saturday night, surrounded by his family.
“The whole family are devastated,” he said. “There are few people who get to my age with their father still around, but I have been one of the lucky ones.
“His death last night has left me bereft – I have lost my dad, my inspiration, and the country has lost a truly dedicated parliamentarian.”
Sir Lindsay described his father as a “force to be reckoned with”, praising him as an “outspoken” trade unionist who was the president of the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staffs before entering frontline politics.
“Today there is an empty armchair, an absence of ready wit and one less animal lover in the world,” he said. “Above all, Doug was a family man and he will be greatly missed by myself, Catherine, Emma, the great-grandchildren and the whole family.”
Lord Hoyle was born in Chorley, the Lancashire market town that has been represented in the Commons by his son since 1997. He was a founding member of LFI in the 1950s and was elevated to the Lords in 1999, where he remained until announcing his retirement last year.
Outside politics, he was described as a “massive” rugby league fan and became chairman of Warrington Wolves in 1999.
He held the role for 10 years and bowed out on a high as the team won the 2009 Challenge Cup, beating Huddersfield Giants at Wembley Stadium.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, led tributes the party’s tributes, saying: “Lord Doug Hoyle was Labour through and through, a distinguished parliamentarian and a tenacious campaigner.
“He was greatly respected, being elected as chair of the PLP before being elevated to the House of Lords. A trade unionist, co-founder of LFI [Labour Friends of Israel] and Warrington Wolves fanatic, he had a long-standing commitment to the town, but above everything he was a family man.
“We will truly miss him. All of our thoughts and prayers are with Mr Speaker, Catherine, Emma and his family.”
Charlotte Nichols, the current Labour MP for Warrington North, said: “Beyond being an icon and Warrington’s finest ever champion, both as Warrington North MP and president of Warrington Wolves, he was a friend to all who knew him. May his memory forever be a blessing.”