Cancer treatment for Lib Dem Campbell

Menzies Campbell has been an MP since 1987

Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesman Menzies Campbell, has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, it has been announced.

The 61-year-old MP for North East Fife will shortly begin a course of chemotherapy, a Liberal Democrat spokesman said.

The spokesman added that the prognosis was optimistic and that Mr Campbell would continue to fulfil his obligations as an MP as far as his treatment would allow.

Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy said "Ming" was in "robust, fighting form and a very positive mood".

Charles Kennedy: "Great, personal friend"

The media were asked to respect Mr Campbell's privacy and that of his family.

Mr Campbell entered the Commons in 1987 after being a grass-roots activist in the Liberal Party and later chairman of the Scottish Liberal Party from 1975-77.

He has been on the Lib Dem front bench for nearly a decade.

Prior to being an MP he made his living as a barrister in Scotland, becoming a QC in 1982.

He was also an athletics star.

He held the UK record for the 100 metres from 1967 to 1974, competed in the 1964 Olympic Games and captained Britain's athletic team for the 1966 Commonwealth Games.

Harder to treat

Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system, a network of vessels which form part of the body's immune system.

There are two principal kinds of lymphoma - Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's - the latter is more common, and also slightly harder to treat.

Incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is currently rising by 3-4% a year in Britain.

It is the third fastest growing form of cancer after skin melanoma and lung.

Mr Kennedy said: "He's a great personal friend of mine and we all wish him success for the course of treatment ahead."

Scottish Lib Dem leader Jim Wallace said he spoke to his colleague on Friday afternoon.

Mr Wallace said: "Ming is one of our most effective parliamentarians whose judgement and good sense is widely acknowledged.

"My thoughts and those of other Scottish Liberal Democrats are very much with Ming and Elspeth, and it is very our wish that he is quickly restored to good health."