Labour politician Tony Benn, 88, 'seriously ill'

The veteran left-winger is now on his fourth day on an NHS ward after he was admitted over the weekend.

13:09 12 February 2014

Poltician Tony Benn is seriously ill in hospital, it has been reported. 

 

The veteran left-winger, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1990 and who served in Labour governments as technology, industry, and energy minister, was admitted on Saturday and has remained in the NHS ward since. 

 

A spokesman for the family said: ‘Tony Benn was taken into hospital on Saturday evening after feeling unwell. He is currently receiving treatment.’ 

 

Last year, Mr Benn suffered a stroke but said that he did not fear death. He added that losing his beloved wife Caroline to cancer 14 years ago had helped him cope. 

 

He said: ‘I’m not frightened about death. I don’t know why, but I just feel at a certain moment your switch is switched off and that’s it. And you can’t do anything about it.’