A dinner was held to celebrate a former Southampton MP.

The event honoured Dr Alan Whitehead, former Labour MP for Southampton Test.

It was attended by various politicians, including ex-Southampton Itchen MP John Denham and ex-Reading West MP Martin Salter, as well as current Southampton Test MP, Satvir Kaur.

Key stakeholders from the city also attended to congratulate Dr Whitehead on his nearly 40 years of public service in Southampton.

Ms Kaur said: "I had the honour of organising a dinner to celebrate my predecessor Dr Alan Whitehead.

"Alan first came into my life when I was 18, and it all started with a birthday card. I received the card from my local MP, which not only wished me a happy birthday, but reminded me that I was old enough to vote.

"It was a wonderful evening where politicians past and present, along with many key stakeholders from the city, came together to thank Alan for his whopping 27 years of service as an MP and to celebrate his nearly 40 years of public service in Southampton."

A dedicated Saints fan, Dr Whitehead expressed his gratitude to everyone who came out to support him.

He said: "I’m touched by everyone’s kind words. I am proud to have been able to represent the people of Southampton in Parliament for all this time, and I’m profoundly grateful for all the support they have given me to do the job."

In January 2023, Dr Whitehead announced he would stand down, and said: "I have been your MP for some 20 years now, and between us we have managed to hold Southampton Test as a red beacon for Labour in seven elections over those years."

One attendee, a former colleague of Dr Whitehead's, said it was a 'wonderful evening' where people came together to thank him for his 'whopping' 27 years of service as an MP.

Dr Whitehead first became an city councillor in 1980 before becoming leader of the council. He was elected to parliament in 1997.