Corbyn praises ‘brave’ MP for revealing his HIV diagnosis

JEREMY Corbyn has led tributes to a Labour MP who revealed he is HIV positive in a “brave” and “moving” speech to the Commons.

Labour’s Lloyd Russell-Moyle (below) became the first MP to disclose he is living with the virus in the chamber as he led an adjournment debate on HIV and World Aids Day.

In what was described as his “Diana moment”, the Brighton Kemptown MP said: “Next year I’ll be marking an anniversary of my own: 10 years since I became HIV positive.

“It’s been a long journey, from the fear to acceptance and from today advocacy, knowing my treatment keeps me healthy and that it protects any partner I have.”

Mr Corbyn intervened in the debate to praise Mr Russell-Moyle’s “brilliant and historic speech”.

He said: “I think he’s making an absolutely brilliant and historic speech, and I’m very grateful that he mentioned my good friend Chris Smith, who very bravely told the world in 1984 that he was gay and proud of it, and we’re proud of Chris for doing that.

“I’m also very pleased he’s brought up the international context of this, the international context where there is appalling levels of prejudice and abuse against HIV-positive people and against the LGBT community in many countries around the world.

“We just need to send a message out from this House of Commons: this country has changed its attitudes and we have done a great deal medically to help people.

“We need to ensure that the rest of the world understands that we can do the same in every country.”

Mr Russell-Moyle received a standing ovation from his colleagues as he concluded the speech.