Eleanor Laing leads tributes for colleague's late father

Christopher Hudson, an Epping Forest resident, died earlier this week,

Deputy Speaker, Dame Eleanor Laing, who knew Mr Hudson from her constituency work, said: “I would also like to pay tribute on behalf of the whole community in Epping Forest, where he will be very greatly missed, to Christopher Hudson.

“Not only for his considerable achievements during a distinguished medical career but also for the good work that he did and the charitable causes that he helped in our local community. He was unique and he would be a very proud man today.”

Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said his father was now “at peace”, having died earlier this week.

With his family in the public gallery in the Commons, Mr Hudson said: “My father, Christopher Hudson, sadly passed away just a few days ago. I’ve debated whether to do this and, indeed, whether to have gone ahead with this maiden speech this week, but I know it is what he would have wanted me to do.

“My dad was a professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, and he devoted his life to the service of his patients in the NHS, also in Australia, and in periods spent in Nigeria and Pakistan notably to reduce maternal mortality and postpartum complications in the developing world.

“He delivered countless babies and saved countless lives through pioneering surgery in this area and especially in cancer surgery – procedures that are still making a difference today. In addition, he trained and mentored so many health professionals right up until the end.”

An emotional Mr Hudson concluded: “I’m so sorry he’s not here today, but he is at peace now and with all my heart and soul, thank you, mum and dad. God bless you dad, this one’s for you.”

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