British prime minister Keir Starmer has paid tribute to his brother Nick, who has died aged 60.
Mr Starmer described his younger brother as a “wonderful man”.
He died peacefully on St Stephen’s Day, after battling with cancer, a spokesman said.
The prime minister had been due to go on holiday with his family on Friday, but it is understood that he will now remain at home but hopes to join them later.
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Mr Starmer said in a statement: “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.”
A spokesman for the prime minister added: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nick Starmer.
“Nick, 60, died peacefully on the afternoon of December 26th after battling cancer.
“We ask for privacy for Nick’s wider family at this time.”
MPs including Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch offered their condolences to the prime minister following the announcement of his brother’s death.
Ms Badenoch said “such awful news” was “particularly devastating at Christmas time”.
Mr Starmer spoke candidly about his brother – who had learning difficulties due to complications at birth – in Tom Baldwin’s biography.
The prime minister is the middle child of four siblings.
“We were a family of six, so it didn’t feel lonely and I shared a room with him, but Nick didn’t have many friends and got called ‘thick’ or ‘stupid’ by other kids,” Mr Starmer said of his brother.
“Even now I try to avoid using words like that to describe anyone.” – PA