Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute to his brother Nick, who died on Boxing Day aged 60 after suffering from cancer.

The prime minister described his brother as a “wonderful man”, saying in a statement: “He met all the challenges life threw at him with courage and good humour. We will miss him very much.

“I would like to thank all those who treated and took care of Nick. Their skill and compassion is very much appreciated.”

A spokesperson for Sir Keir added in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nick Starmer.

“Nick, 60, died peacefully on the afternoon of December 26 after battling cancer. We ask for privacy for Nick’s wider family at this time.”

The prime minister had been due to go on holiday with his family on Friday, but it is understood he will now stay at home.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch sent her condolences to Sir Keir and his family, adding: “This is such awful news. Particularly devastating at Christmastime.”

‘Nick was dealt a different set of cards’

Nick Starmer suffered complications during birth. He left school without any formal qualifications and suffered serious health problems during his life, which meant he could not hold down a long term job.

He was very unwell in 2022, and suffered complications during major surgery, which required life-saving care, according to a biography of the prime minister authored by former journalist Tom Baldwin.

Sir Keir broke away from the local elections campaign to visit him multiple times in hospital, with staff letting him use a back gate to avoid the media.

He later thanked some of the medical team who saved his brother’s life, telling them at a meeting of the Pancreatic Society: “I hope you know what it means to me and my family.”

Sir Keir is the middle child of four siblings. He spoke for the first time last year about his relationship with his brother in Tom Baldwin’s biography, saying: “Nick was dealt a different set of cards to me – problems I’ve never had to face.”

He spoke of how he got into fights to protect Nick when he was called “thick” or “stupid” by other children, and said: “Even now I try to avoid using words like that to describe anyone.”

Sir Keir also recalled how Nick’s school categorised him as “remedial”, saying: “They had no expectation of him or anything, and I’m not sure he even sat exams, so he had nothing to show for coming out of education.”

But he also said that their parents treated them exactly the same, with his father telling him: “Nick has achieved as much as you, Keir.”