Speaker diagnosed with diabetes days before polling day

House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle was diagnosed with diabetes just days before the general election.

The 62-year-old has lost almost three stone in recent months and was urged to visit doctors by his wife Catherine and other family members.

Sir Lindsay revealed that the symptoms of the condition were so severe that doctors wanted him to stay in hospital, but he refused to miss the election campaign.

“They said ‘We’re really probably going to have to keep you in’. I said ‘Well, that’s impossible, I’m in the middle of a general election with ten days to go’,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

He said he is “more or less 100 per cent sure” that his diabetes is type 1, and said the ketones in his body were “off the scale”, adding: “The fact that suddenly I go in, and then I’ve got to start injecting insulin came as a real shock.”

He added: “Never, ever did I expect it would happen to me. And to come at such a time, it really is taking a lot of getting used to.”

Sir Lindsay said he has spoken to fellow diabetes sufferer Theresa May.

“She said to me ‘Look, if you ever need a chat, if you ever want some support...’ She was really kind, very considerate and said ‘Your life doesn’t have to change’.

“And I think that’s what’s so important,” he said.

Sir Lindsay said the diagnoses “is still a shock” and his family are “very worried”, but said he is determined to continue his roles as an MP for the Lancashire seat of Chorley and as the new Speaker.

“I’m on tablets, as well as having to inject insulin, but it doesn’t stop me carrying on and nothing is going to be a barrier to me,” he said.

“I’m going to cope with it. I’m going to manage it. I’m going to get through this.

“The fact is I feel really well. We know what it is – that’s the good news – and of course, I have got to get over it and get on with my job.

“The House of Commons elected me to be the Speaker and there’s nothing that’s going to stop me from doing that.”

Sir Lindsay cited Mrs May, who also has type 1 diabetes, as an inspiration and says his family and House of Commons’ staff have been very supportive.

Sir Lindsay spoke about his health condition during an interview with Rob Mcloughlin for the forthcoming series Mr Speaker.