'I've fought a lot of battles in my life': Ex-Lib Dem leader and Royal Marine Lord Ashdown reveals he has been diagnosed with bladder cancer and the outcome is 'unpredictable'

  • Liberal Democrat former leader Lord Ashdown disclosed he has bladder cancer
  • Peer admitted prognosis is 'unpredictable' but said he is 'confident' in treatment
  • The ex-royal marine pointed out that he has 'fought a lot of battles' in the past 

By James Tapsfield, Political Editor, For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown today revealed he is being treated for bladder cancer. 

The peer said he had been diagnosed three weeks ago, admitting that the outcome was 'unpredictable'.

But the 77-year-old ex-commando said he had 'confidence' in the treatment he is getting at Yeovil Hospital.

'I've fought a lot of battles in my life,' he said. 

Lord Ashdown (pictured) led the Lib Dems between 1988 and 1999, turning it into a major force in UK politics

Lord Ashdown (pictured) led the Lib Dems between 1988 and 1999, turning it into a major force in UK politics

He told the Somerset Live website: 'This time I am lucky enough to have the magnificent help of our local hospital, my friends and family, and that gives me great confidence'.

Lord Ashdown led the Lib Dems between 1988 and 1999, turning the party into a major force in UK politics

Before Tony Blair's 1997 landslide election victory there were strong signs that the two leaders were planning a realignment on the Left that could have seen them governing together.

WHAT IS BLADDER CANCER?

Bladder cancer is caused by a tumour developing in the lining of the bladder or the organ's muscle.

Around 10,200 new cases are diagnosed in the UK each year and 81,400 people in the US, according to figures.

It is the 10th most common cancer in the UK - but a little more prevalent in the US - and accounts for about three per cent of all cases.

The cancer is more common in men and has a 10-year survival rate of about 50 per cent. Around half of cases are considered preventable.

Symptoms of the disease include blood in the urine, needing to urinate more often or more urgently than normal and pelvic pain.

However, unexpected weight loss and swelling of the legs can also be signs of the killer disease.

Smoking and exposure to chemicals in plastics and paints at work can increase the risk of getting bladder cancer.

Treatment varies depending on how advanced the cancer is, and may include surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Source: NHS Choices

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Lord Ashdown was a strong supporter of Nick Clegg's decision to form the coalition government with the Tories in 2010.

Notoriously, he vowed to 'eat my hat' on election night in 2015 if the Lib Dems had done as badly as exit polls suggested. 

More recently he has been a trenchant campaigner against Brexit. 

Before becoming an MP in 1983, Lord Ashdown was a Royal Marine and in the intelligence services.

After standing down from his Yeovil seat in 2001, he was the United Nations high representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina for four years.

A Lib Dem spokesman said: 'We were all deeply saddened to find out our former leader Paddy Ashdown is being treated for bladder cancer. 

'The whole Lib Dem family is wishing Paddy a speedy recovery.'

Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable tweeted: 'My best wishes for a speedy recovery to Paddy Ashdown, one of the great British political figures of the past 30 years and the man who built the Lib Dems into a Parliamentary force. Love to Paddy, Jane and their family.' 

Bladder cancer is caused by a tumour developing in the lining of the bladder or the organ's muscle.

Around 10,300 new cases are diagnosed in the UK each year and 81,200 people in the US, according to figures.

It is the 10th most common cancer in the UK - but a little more prevalent in the US - and accounts for about three per cent of all cases.

The cancer is more common in men and has a 10-year survival rate of about 50 per cent. Around half of cases are considered preventable.

Lord Ashdown has been a trenchant campaigner against Brexit, joining Labour's Lord Kinnock (right) and David Cameron (centre) to campaign during the referendum battle

Lord Ashdown has been a trenchant campaigner against Brexit, joining Labour's Lord Kinnock (right) and David Cameron (centre) to campaign during the referendum battle

Before Tony Blair's 1997 landslide election victory there were strong signs that the Labour leader (right) and Lord Ashdown were planning a realignment on the Left that could have seen them governing together

Before Tony Blair's 1997 landslide election victory there were strong signs that the Labour leader (right) and Lord Ashdown were planning a realignment on the Left that could have seen them governing together

 

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