Frank Dobson death: Former Labour health secretary dies aged 79

Ex-MP for Holborn and St Pancras praised for sense of humour and commitment to health

Former Labour health secretary and London mayoral candidate Frank Dobson has died aged 79, his family have said.

Mr Dobson was first elected to serve as Labour’s MP for Holborn and St Pancras in 1979, and served as the first health secretary under Tony Blair after the party’s landslide electoral victory in 1997.

He went on to become the party’s candidate for the mayor of London in 2000, but he ultimately finished third behind winner Ken Livingstone – who ran as an independent when Mr Dobson gained the party’s nomination – and Conservative Steven Norris.

The former politician also gained notoriety for his attachment to his beard, rejecting calls from a pollster to shave during the mayoral race by telling the adviser to “get stuffed”.

He leaves behind his wife Janet and their three children.

A family spokesperson said they were sad to announce his death.

“His family would like to thank all the staff at the Homerton University Hospital for their outstanding expertise, commitment and care in the last few months and also the staff of York Hospital for his previous excellent care,” they added. “He also greatly appreciated the support of his many friends and former parliamentary colleagues.”

He was replaced in his north London constituency, having served the community for 35 years, by Sir Kier Starmer.

Mr Dobson said at the time he had “decided to pack in when people are stopping me in the street to say they hope I am not going – rather than waiting until they ask why the hell I am still around”.

Throughout his time in office he remained a critic of the party – backing Tony Benn for deputy leader in 1981 before choosing to align with what he termed the “sane left”.

He would later criticise Mr Blair over the Iraq War and regularly point to the lack of funding available to the NHS, even as he served as health secretary.

On hearing of his passing, Jonathan Ashworth, the current shadow health and social care secretary, said: “To this day NHS staff tell me Frank was the best health secretary they ever worked with, putting foundations in place to rebuild our NHS under a Labour government.”

Returning to the Commons after his mayoral bid, he served as a guiding voice for new MPs both while the party remained in power and during its years in opposition, eager to help a new generation acclimatise to their roles.

David Lammy wrote on Twitter: “Frank was my mentor for many years in my early years in politics and in so many ways an icon in London Labour and the wider movement. Rooted in the community he loved a curry, was v funny, kind and patient.”

Stella Creasy added via Instagram: “Gutted the lovely Frank Dobson has passed away. He was so kind and supportive to all of us when we were first elected in 2010 as well as being passionate about the Labour Party and what it could do for Britain.

“And he also had some of the filthiest and funniest jokes you have ever heard which could make any event a cracking night out if completely unsuitable for tender ears.”