Rising star who beat Swinson has life-saving surgery for brain bleed
SNP’s Amy pledges to come back stronger and fitter
MP AMY Callaghan has had life-saving emergency surgery after collapsing with a brain haemorrhage.
The 28-year-old SNP rising star is recovering in hospital following the near-fatal incident last Wednesday.
It comes just six months after she entered Parliament, ousting then Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson to win the seat of East Dunbartonshire.
Amy’s office said she was found collapsed at home after the haemorrhage, which related to a “previously manageable medical condition”.
They added: “Imminent risk to life was identified and she was admitted to hospital for emergency neurosurgery.
“Thanks to the immense skill and response of the medical team involved in her care, Amy was able to successfully pull through the operation and is now stable in hospital.
“She wishes to put on record her enormous love and gratitude to all involved in her care – the first response and ambulance crew, accident and emergency staff, the neurological surgeons and the wonderful nursing team – who have all played a role in, undoubtedly, saving her life.
“She has been overwhelmed by the messages of support and kindness which are a huge source of encouragement.
“She has made great progress thus far but is under no illusion of the seriousness of her condition and the rehabilitation that will follow.
“As she always has done throughout her life, she will continue to fight.
“She is determined to overcome what barriers, if any, may now arise as a result of this incident. “She wants to make clear that her constituency work will continue – her office is still open for all those who require help and support.” Asking journalists to respect her privacy, her office added: “There will be a period of required rest and recovery. It is the privilege of her life to be elected as the Member of Parliament for East Dunbartonshire.
“There is absolutely no doubt that Amy will come back stronger, fitter and more determined than ever to continue in that role and serve, to the best of her ability, the people of her constituency.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Sending lots of love and strength to @AmyCallaghanSNP and her family, and wishing her the speediest possible recovery.”
SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford added: “I wish Amy a full and speedy recovery from everyone in the SNP, and would ask that people please respect her family’s privacy now and in the weeks to come.”
Former Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson added: “Awful news. Wishing Amy a full and speedy recovery.”
Amy won her seat by just 149 votes in one of the most hotly-fought contests of the 2019 general election and is one of the youngest MPs in Parliament.
She was a first-time election candidate for the SNP after the experience of having cancer as a teenager pushed her towards politics.
Originally intending to be a teacher, she instead worked as the office manager for a member of the Scottish Parliament.
Amy has been cancer-free since 2014, and it is not clear what the underlying condition was that caused her to fall ill last week.
Last month she compared the cliques of the UK Parliament to the hit film Mean Girls.
She told the Daily Record: “It even comes down to where you can sit in the tearoom.
“There are certain seats for certain parties. It’s like Mean Girls – ‘You can’t sit with us.’”