Rochdale by-election triggered after Sir Tony Lloyd's death

Sir Tony Lloyd was hailed as a "great man of Manchester" by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

The Labour party has officially triggered the Rochdale by-election following the death of Sir Tony Lloyd.

Sir Tony died on 17 January days after announcing he had an incurable form of leukaemia.

Business in the House of Commons started with opposition chief whip Sir Alan Campbell issuing the writ for the vacant seat.

The by-election has to take place between 21 and 27 working days from the issuing of the writ.

Sir Tony was hailed as a "great man of Manchester" by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak when the House of Commons gathered to pay tributes.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said everyone held him in "high esteem".

He was first elected to represent Stretford in 1983 and also served as MP for Manchester Central following boundary changes.

He later returned for a second stint in the Commons and represented Rochdale from 2017.

Sir Tony held the seat for Labour at the 2019 election with a 9,668 majority over the Conservatives.