Craig Mackinlay was given a standing ovation from MPs in the House of Commons today, as he returned to Parliament for the first time after his battle with sepsis.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “As you know we don’t allow clapping but this is an exception.”
The life-threatening illness led to the amputation of his hands and feet. Mackinlay used a question at today's PMQs to raise awareness for the symptoms of sepsis, calling for more recognition of the "early signs" of the disease.
In September, the MP for South Thanet said he was taken to hospital and placed into an induced coma after suffering multiple organ failures.
Craig Mackinlay was given a standing ovation from MPs in the House of Commons today
GB NEWS
In an extended interview with GB News, which aired yesterday, the MP opened up on his health battle, admitting he is “extremely lucky to be alive”.
The MP yesterday told GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope that a loss of blood supply to his limbs caused them to “turn black” while his body “went blue” as he laid bare the shocking realities of his condition.
Sepsis, also called septicaemia or blood poisoning, occurs when the immune system overreacts to an infection.
Earlier today, Mackinlay had a meeting with Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle
Opening PMQs, Starmer paid tribute to Mackinlay's "courage and determination" in his road to recovery as well as thanking him for his "deep sense of service".
Earlier today, Mackinlay had a meeting with Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle, as well as meeting with Rishi Sunak and the Leader of the Opposition.
His wife Kati and their four-year-old daughter Olivia were sitting in the public gallery to mark his return to Parliament.
Hoyle opened Prime Minister’s Questions by welcoming Mackinlay back to the Commons.
WATCH: Craig Mackinlay speaks to GB News about his experience in hospital
He said: “I’m sure the whole House would like to join me in welcoming back our colleague, our friend and inspirational honourable member for South Thanet.
“Craig, it’s so good to have you back amongst us, you are the man of the moment and I met your daughter who is going to be the daughter of the moment with her birthday tomorrow.
“So can I say to you and your family, it is an inspiration to people in this country who have suffered with sepsis, you have shown us the way forward, thank you.”
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Sunak added: “Can I also add my personal welcome back to Parliament to my friend and colleague the member for South Thanet?
“No one who watched his interview last night could have failed to have been in awe of his incredible resilience.”
Mackinlay, who was granted a question at today's PMQs, asked Sunak: "Can we please ensure that we embed recognition of early signs of sepsis?
“If we can stop someone to end up like this that would be a job well done.”
He also thanked Sunak for visiting him throughout his recovery process, saying: "That shows the true depth of the character of the Prime Minister.”