Ken Livingstone is battling Alzheimer's (Image: Getty)
Former London mayor Ken Livingstone is battling Alzheimer's, his family have announced.
A spokesperson told the PA news agency he is being "well cared for by friends and family", living a "private life" in retirement.
Mr Livingstone was elected as the first mayor of London and held that role for eight years from 2000.
He resigned from the Labour Party in 2018 over accusations of anti-Semitism, which he had denied.
His family said: "In response to media enquiries the Livingstone family today announce that Ken Livingstone, ex-MP for Brent and former mayor of London, has been diagnosed with and is living with Alzheimer's disease.
Former London mayor Ken Livingstone is battling Alzheimer's, his family have announced.
A spokesperson told the PA news agency he is being "well cared for by friends and family", living a "private life" in retirement.
Mr Livingstone was elected as the first mayor of London and held that role for eight years from 2000.
Former London mayor Ken Livingstone is battling Alzheimer's, his family have announced.
A spokesperson told the PA news agency he is being "well cared for by friends and family", living a "private life" in retirement.
Mr Livingstone was elected as the first mayor of London and held that role for eight years from 2000.
He resigned from the Labour Party in 2018 over accusations of anti-Semitism, which he had denied.
He resigned from the Labour Party in 2018 over accusations of anti-Semitism, which he had denied.
His family said: "In response to media enquiries the Livingstone family today announce that Ken Livingstone, ex-MP for Brent and former mayor of London, has been diagnosed with and is living with Alzheimer's disease.
His family said: "In response to media enquiries the Livingstone family today announce that Ken Livingstone, ex-MP for Brent and former mayor of London, has been diagnosed with and is living with Alzheimer's disease.
READ MORE: Researchers unveil eating plan that could improve memory in those with dementia
Ken Livingstone was known as 'Red Ken' in his heyday (Image: Getty)
"Although a previously prominent public figure, Ken is now retired and lives a private life.
"Ken is being well cared for by his family and friends and we ask you for your understanding and to respect his privacy and that of his family."
Alzheimer's is a physical illness which damages the brain, according to the Alzheimer's Society charity, and is the most common cause of dementia in the UK.
Mr Livingstone, 78, has stayed out of the public eye in recent years after more than four decades as a prominent figure in London politics since the 1970s.
He was dubbed "Red Ken" in his heyday due to being a staunch critic of Margaret Thatcher's Tory government and Tony Blair's New Labour.
"Although a previously prominent public figure, Ken is now retired and lives a private life.
"Although a previously prominent public figure, Ken is now retired and lives a private life.
"Ken is being well cared for by his family and friends and we ask you for your understanding and to respect his privacy and that of his family."
"Ken is being well cared for by his family and friends and we ask you for your understanding and to respect his privacy and that of his family."
Alzheimer's is a physical illness which damages the brain, according to the Alzheimer's Society charity, and is the most common cause of dementia in the UK.
Mr Livingstone, 78, has stayed out of the public eye in recent years after more than four decades as a prominent figure in London politics since the 1970s.
He was dubbed "Red Ken" in his heyday due to being a staunch critic of Margaret Thatcher's Tory government and Tony Blair's New Labour.
Alzheimer's is a physical illness which damages the brain, according to the Alzheimer's Society charity, and is the most common cause of dementia in the UK.
Mr Livingstone, 78, has stayed out of the public eye in recent years after more than four decades as a prominent figure in London politics since the 1970s.
He was dubbed "Red Ken" in his heyday due to being a staunch critic of Margaret Thatcher's Tory government and Tony Blair's New Labour.
DON'T MISS:
London to become first car-free city in the world after Khan’s ULEZ crackdown [LATEST]
Susan Hall blasts eco-hypocrite Sadiq Khan for jetting off to climate conference [INSIGHT]
‘I'm a politician - Sadiq Khan should refund all ULEZ fees now for key reason’ [COMMENT]
Ken Livingstone was a thorn in Thatcher's side in the 70s (Image: Getty)
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
He stood as an independent to become the first mayor of London when the powerful post was first created.
In his second term, which he won as the official Labour candidate, he earned praise for the way he stood up for London after the July 2005 suicide bombings and helped the capital win its bid to hold the 2012 Olympic Games.
Mr Livingstone lost control of City Hall in 2008 when he was defeated by Boris Johnson and a failed bid to return to office in 2012 marked the end of his electoral ambitions.
He became embroiled in a string of allegations of anti-Semitism, over which he quit the Labour Party in 2018.
It came after a long-running row over his claims that Adolf Hitler had backed Zionism in the 1930s, which had originally seen him suspended from the organisation in 2016.
Mr Livingstone did not accept he was guilty of anti-Semitism nor bringing Labour into disrepute.
He stood as an independent to become the first mayor of London when the powerful post was first created.
In his second term, which he won as the official Labour candidate, he earned praise for the way he stood up for London after the July 2005 suicide bombings and helped the capital win its bid to hold the 2012 Olympic Games.
Mr Livingstone lost control of City Hall in 2008 when he was defeated by Boris Johnson and a failed bid to return to office in 2012 marked the end of his electoral ambitions.
He became embroiled in a string of allegations of anti-Semitism, over which he quit the Labour Party in 2018.
It came after a long-running row over his claims that Adolf Hitler had backed Zionism in the 1930s, which had originally seen him suspended from the organisation in 2016.
Mr Livingstone did not accept he was guilty of anti-Semitism nor bringing Labour into disrepute.
In his second term, which he won as the official Labour candidate, he earned praise for the way he stood up for London after the July 2005 suicide bombings and helped the capital win its bid to hold the 2012 Olympic Games.
In his second term, which he won as the official Labour candidate, he earned praise for the way he stood up for London after the July 2005 suicide bombings and helped the capital win its bid to hold the 2012 Olympic Games.
Mr Livingstone lost control of City Hall in 2008 when he was defeated by Boris Johnson and a failed bid to return to office in 2012 marked the end of his electoral ambitions.
Mr Livingstone lost control of City Hall in 2008 when he was defeated by Boris Johnson and a failed bid to return to office in 2012 marked the end of his electoral ambitions.
He became embroiled in a string of allegations of anti-Semitism, over which he quit the Labour Party in 2018.
He became embroiled in a string of allegations of anti-Semitism, over which he quit the Labour Party in 2018.
It came after a long-running row over his claims that Adolf Hitler had backed Zionism in the 1930s, which had originally seen him suspended from the organisation in 2016.
It came after a long-running row over his claims that Adolf Hitler had backed Zionism in the 1930s, which had originally seen him suspended from the organisation in 2016.
Mr Livingstone did not accept he was guilty of anti-Semitism nor bringing Labour into disrepute.
Mr Livingstone did not accept he was guilty of anti-Semitism nor bringing Labour into disrepute.
Related articles Scientists discover possible early sign of Alzheimer's disease New vaccine may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, study suggests Tony Bennett diagnosed with Alzheimer's prior to death - singer's first signs NHS warned of 'surge' in people wanting dementia diagnosis as new drugs offered