Sir Elton John poses with Keir Starmer during Parliamentary reception to mark star's Aids Foundation

Sir Elton John poses with Keir Starmer during Parliamentary reception to mark star’s Aids Foundation

ITN News Hour

SIR Elton John poses with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer yesterday at a Parliamentary reception to mark the work of the superstar’s Aids Foundation.

Sir Elton used the event, on the eve of World Aids Day, to call for “whoever wins the next general election” to try to turbo-charge efforts to wipe out the disease by 2030.

Sir Elton John posed at a Parliamentary reception with Sir Keir Starmer, who vowed to update his HIV Action Plan as soon as he comes to Government

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Sir Elton John posed at a Parliamentary reception with Sir Keir Starmer, who vowed to update his HIV Action Plan as soon as he comes to GovernmentCredit: Getty

The star, 76, set up the foundation in 1992.

The British musician was honoured at a reception hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and Aids at the Speaker’s House on Wednesday night, in recognition of his commitment to ending the epidemic through the Elton John Aids Foundation.

It comes after the announcement by Health Secretary Victoria Atkins that the UK is set to extend its opt-out HIV testing to 46 A&E departments nationwide, which Sir Elton described as “truly wonderful news”.

Sir Elton also met with Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer, who vowed to update “the HIV Action Plan as soon as we come to Government”.

Back in 2020, Elton pledged £815,000 ($1million) to a coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund to protect those living with HIV.

The music icon took to Instagram to announce that his foundation was launching the fund to make sure no HIV patient was left behind while the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the globe.

In the video, the performer read out a statement to his 2.8million followers and explained how the fund will help those in need.


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