Southampton man John Stainton OBE has delivered an open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on behalf of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Alongside Hampshire resident Phoebe Day, the letter was delivered on August 15 on behalf of over 150,000 UK people living with MS.

It was signed by more than 13,000 people as part of a campaign by the MS Society to ensure significant changes for those battling MS.

Suggested changes demanded in the letter included improving the Personal Independent Payment process, providing better support for MS sufferers maintaining good-quality employment, and addressing healthcare shortages, particularly neurologists and MS-specialised nurses.

Mr Stainton, a 62-year-old from Southampton, was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 2021.

His condition notably impacts his walking, balance and speech.

Prior to his diagnosis, he served as a civil servant in the Ministry of Defence, travelling to many worldwide locations such as Iraq, Cyprus, and America, even working in Afghanistan during the 2021 evacuation.

John – who is also the vice chair of MS Society’s England Council – said: "I’m proud to be at Downing Street today. Since having to retire.  

"I’ve want to use my skills and experience to try and create better opportunities for younger people with MS.

"I count myself lucky because a lot of people develop MS in their 20s or 30s, but I was diagnosed a lot later so I was still able to do a lot in my career.

"People who are diagnosed younger do want to work and contribute to society, but there needs to be a system to allow that to happen.

"PIP is a means of supporting people to live life to the fullest and live as independently as possible.

"It often helps people to stay in work and make a meaningful impact. But the process is so broken.

"When I applied, I ended up having to go through mandatory reconsideration. We shouldn’t have a system that causes such stress and anxiety for people."

Joined by reality TV personality Kerry Riches, also living with MS, Mr Stainton and Ms Day were instrumental in developing the MS Society’s progressive campaign.