'Devastated' Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle reveals 'void' left by his father Lord Doug Hoyle as the 'dedicated' Labour politician is laid to rest after dying aged 98

The Speaker of the House of Commons has revealed the 'void' left by his late father as he is laid to rest today.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle praised his father Lord Doug Hoyle as a 'dedicated parliamentarian' who was always there for him ahead of his funeral at St Paul's Church in Adlington, near Chorley in Lancashire.

Lord Hoyle died on April 6 at the age of 98, with his funeral on Friday attended by Sir Lindsay, his family and other parliamentarians including Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans and former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford.

The veteran politician had served as Labour MP for Colne from 1974 to 1979, and for Warrington between 1981 and 1997, before being ennobled as Lord Hoyle and going on to sit in the House of Lords.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire ahead of the funeral, Sir Lindsay said the loss of his father had left a 'gap' and a 'void' in his life.

'I've known nothing else than my father there to turn to, to advise me, not only as a father but as a friend and as a brother in that sense,' he said.

'As an only child he was my elder brother.'

He said he had 'learnt a lot' from his father's experiences as a politician and his personality, adding that his father was initially 'protective' of him when he told him he wanted to follow his footsteps into politics.

Sir Lindsay said: 'It's the ethos that I inherited from him to look after people, to serve people and do my best for the community that I represent.'

He added that it when he became Speaker of the House of Commons in 2019, it was 'magical' to be able to share the moment with his father.

Earlier this month Sir Lindsay had paid tribute to the 'inspiration' and 'ready wit' his father provided.

In a statement released the day after his death, he said: 'It is with great sorrow that I have to announce that my beloved father, Lord Doug Hoyle, passed away peacefully at home late last night with his family by his side.

'The whole family are devastated. There are few people who get to my age with their father still around – but I have been one of the lucky ones.'

Sir Lindsay added: 'His death last night has left me bereft – I have lost my dad, my inspiration and the country has lost a truly dedicated parliamentarian.

'Doug was a force to be reckoned with, first as MP for Nelson and Colne in 1974-1979, and then Warrington 1981-1997 – before he joined the House of Lords where he served until the age of 97 when he retired in 2023.

'He chaired the Parliamentary Labour Party and was an outspoken member of the ASTMS trade union, serving as president of both ASTMS and MSF.

'Doug loved his sport and as a massive rugby league fan, became chairman of Warrington Wolves in 1999, a position he held with great passion and honour.

'Today there is an empty armchair, an absence of ready wit, and one less animal lover in the world.

'Above all Doug was a family man and he will be greatly missed by myself, Catherine, Emma, the great grandchildren and the whole family.'

Following the announcement fellow MPs sent their wishes to Sir Lindsay on social media.

Tory former minister Tracey Crouch posted: 'I'm so sorry to read this. Your Dad was always so lovely to me, even when he was taking the mick about Rhinos!! He'll be much missed at both ends of Parliament x.'

Wayne David, the Labour MP for Caerphilly, wrote: 'So sorry to hear this. Doug was a really staunch and proud democratic socialist, who I had the privilege of knowing.'