Former Labour MP Joe Ashton dies aged 83

LONDON: Former Labour MP Joe Ashton has died at the age of 83. The former Bassetlaw MP’s family said he had been suffering from dementia and his death on Monday was unrelated to coronavirus.

But his daughter, Lucy Ashton, described how the Covid-19 restrictions meant she could not be with him in his final hours. Ms Ashton, who is a journalist based in Sheffield, said her father’s funeral will be restricted to just her and her husband, and an obituary she has written will be the only way she can pay proper tribute.She said on Twitter: “My dad has passed away.

“I wasn’t able to be with him at the end because of Covid-19. The funeral will just be me and my husband and I can’t even buy flowers. So I wrote this because it’s the only way I can pay tribute to him and say goodbye. RIP Dad.” Ashton was married to his late wife Maggie for 57 years and they leave two grandchildren. He represented the Nottinghamshire seat of Bassetlaw for 33 years.

Mr Ashton grew up in Sheffield and went on to become an award-winning national newspaper columnist, author, playwright and director of Sheffield Wednesday football club, as well as a politician.His family said that there will be no public funeral due to Covid-19, but a memorial service will take place later in the year.