Sir Keir Starmer leads tributes to daughter of Labour MP killed in crash on Merseyside

Ms Dowd was a Senior Project Manager in the Royal Liverpool Hospital
Family handout/Merseyside Police
Luke O'Reilly14 October 2020

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has led tributes to the daughter of a Labour MP killed in a road crash on Merseyside.

Jennie Dowd, daughter of Bootle MP Peter Dowd, was knocked off her bike while cycling near her home on Lunt Road in Sefton Village on September 27.

The 31-year-old NHS worker died of her injuries in hospital on October 6th.

A fundraising page has been set up to raise money for The Walton Centre charity in her honour.

Sir Keir tweeted that his thoughts were with Mr Dowd and his family.

"My thoughts are with my friend @peter_dowd and his family after the tragic loss of their daughter", he wrote.

"Jennie was clearly so loved and respected by all those who knew her.

"If you can, please consider donating to the Walton Centre that cared for Jennie."

Other MPs including Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Sharon Hodgson, and Marie Rimmer also paid tribute.

Ms Dowd, a senior project manager at Royal Liverpool Hospital, helped to roll out a programme that tested homeless people for HIV and Hepatitis C during the coronavirus pandemic. The programme led to over 60 people being put on treatment programmes.

Jennie Dowd's family said the NHS worker embraced 'life's wild and wonderful sides' (Family handout/Merseyside Police)
Family handout/Met Police

She met her wife Sam while studying for a Master's degree in Gender Studies at the University of Cape Town in 2015.

The pair returned to Liverpool in 2016, and were married last year.

In a statement released through Merseyside Police, Ms Dowd's family paid tribute to a "a beloved wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, friend and colleague."

The statement read: "At only 31 years old, she was on a bright career path in the NHS, embraced life’s wild and wonderful sides and fought vociferously for equality and fair representation in many fields."

Clatterbridge NHS also tweeted its condolences, describing Ms Dowd as "exceptionally talented, kind and caring".

The JustGiving page set up in her honour has already raised more than £5,000.

A statement on the page reads: "Our Jennie died on the 6th of October 2020 after suffering devastating injuries in a road traffic accident.

"Jennie’s wife, immediate family and close friends will be celebrating her life next Tuesday, 20th October at 2pm at Thornton Crem. Unfortunately due to the current COVID restrictions we cannot celebrate as we would have liked.

"In place of flowers we have set up this page in Jennie’s memory with funds being donated to The Walton Centre Charity.

"The Walton Centre provided outstanding care and compassion to Jennie and her family after the accident. We are incredibly grateful to all the staff, and would like to say a special thank you to Dr Steve Shaw and Nurse Ellie Jones."

On October 7 Merseyside Police said that a 23-year-old woman from Sefton remained under investigation after being arrested on the day of the crash.

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