Lord Kerslake dies at 68

Lord Kerslake was nominated to the peerage by David Cameron. Photo: Johnny Green/Avalon

Lord Kerslake, former head of the civil service, has died at age 68.

His family announced his death from cancer in a social media post in which they paid tribute » a truly fantastic husband, father, brother, son and grandfather.”

Bob Kerslake was nominated to the peerage by David Cameron and received the nobility upon his retirement from his position as Permanent Secretary of the Department of Communities and Local Government. The peerage was conferred by the late Queen in 2015.

He was also Chairman of King's College Hospital South London's NHS Foundation Trust, but stepped down in 2017 after warning that the health service could not continue to wobble at current levels of funding.

Senior Labor. Party figures including Sir Keir Starmer, Leader, Wes Streeting, Shadow Minister for Health, John McDonnell, former Shadow Chancellor, and Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, paid tribute to «a true civil servant of the highest integrity.»

In the Queen's Dressing Room, House of Lords. Photo: Gary Lee/Avalon. Ros Kerslake CBE wrote: “My brother Bob (Lord Robert Kerslake) died yesterday after a short battle with cancer. We are all devastated.”

In another tweet, Eleanor Kerslake added: “Unfortunately, my wonderful dad, Bob Kerslake, passed away yesterday. We are all devastated. Dad has had several jobs in his time, but the most important thing for him was that he was a truly fantastic husband, father, brother, son and grandfather.”

Sir Keir tweeted on Sunday:

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I am very sorry to hear that Bob Kerslake has passed away.

Bob was a talented civil servant, a top professional and a good person.

He was rightfully respected at Westminster for his experience and wisdom, and I am grateful for his recent contribution to the Labor Party. Sincerely…

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 2, 2023

Veteran laborer Mr McDonnell tweeted: “Just heard the terribly sad news of the death of Bob Kerslake. I have known Bob since he worked with us at the GLC (Greater London Council).

“He was a true public servant of the highest integrity who dedicated his life to caring for people and fighting inequality wherever he was found it. My condolences to his family.”

Mr Streeting said his death was “terribly sad news. Bob was such a dedicated and decent civil servant who was taken away too soon. Deepest condolences to your family and all those who knew and loved him.”

Mr. Khan called him “a real civil servant”.

Lord Bob Kerslake was a true civil servant. We will always remember his kindness and desire to improve our city and country.

My thoughts today are with his family and friends. https://t.co/uxvRIdlEJ1

— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan), July 2, 2023

Lord Kerslake also led the independent Greater Manchester readiness review and response to the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing.

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