The former Dulwich and West Norwood MP, Dame Tessa Jowell, has been diagnosed with brain cancer, her family has announced.
The ex-minister’s daughter-in-law, and food blogger Ella Woodward posted on Instagram (below) that Mrs Jowell was diagnosed with the disease in May.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZJAJnyApJD/?taken-by=deliciouslyella
The announcement was made on Mrs Jowell’s birthday, on September 17. She also posted a short statement on Twitter yesterday, with a family photo, which said: “Thank you for so much love and support on my birthday. More people living longer better lives with cancer is my birthday pledge.”
Thank you for so much love and support on my birthday. More people living longer better lives with cancer is my birthday pledge pic.twitter.com/VPvvFrwDQS
— Tessa Jowell (@TessaJowell) September 17, 2017
Mrs Jowell was first elected to the seat (formally known as Dulwich) in 1992. She served as secretary of state for culture, media and sport under Tony Blair’s government, and was praised for being a driving force behind Britain’s bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
She stood down as MP in 2015, and the seat was won by MP Helen Hayes in that year’s general election.