Labour MP Kevin McKenna shares he is living with HIV

Labour MP Kevin McKenna has revealed he is living with HIV during a parliamentary debate.

McKenna, who represents the constituency of Sittingbourne and Sheppey in Kent, is now the third MP to share his HIV status.

Speaking in Westminster Hall on Thursday, he encouraged people to “just get tested”.

McKenna said: “So I’ve lived for a long time as an HIV positive man. I’ve lived a long time in my life, starting off with friends taking tablets that did have quite severe side effects, some side effects that actually were very unpleasant and actually led to then still suffering from HIV and AIDS.

“But at the same time now, it’s whittled down to one tablet a day. And as I get into my fifties, it sits alongside my statins and my arthritis medication, all the other medications that we all have at a certain point in our lives.”

The Labour MP added: “So a very strong message today is honestly everyone just get tested, get tested. Everyone do it, it is absolutely fine. It’s just a little scratch on the finger. And there should be no stigma.

“You won’t pass this disease on when you’re treated, you won’t actually suffer. And honestly, it’s boring and mundane.”

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