Alan Sugar shares tribute as brother dies from COVID-19

Lord Sugar has paid tribute to his “long suffering” brother, who has died of coronavirus.

The 73-year-old star of The Apprentice said his brother Derek had underlying health issues as he fondly remembered their shared love of Tottenham Hotspur football club.

Lord Sugar tweeted: “Today I lost my long suffering brother Derek another victim of Covid which added to his underlying health issues. He was a life time passionate Spurs supporter.

“I never forget my sister in law joking with me thanking me for buying him the club. A sad day for us all in the family.”

The businessman and political adviser – who grew up in a council flat in east London – was chairman and part owner of Tottenham Hotspur between 1991 and 2001 and sold his share of the football club in 2007.

Lord Sugar shared a picture of his brother on Instagram, adding: “RIP BRO.”

BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker was among those sending their condolences, writing “Sorry for your loss”.

In September, Lord Sugar hit out at “unfair” criticism of the government’s reaction to COVID-19, hailing chancellor Rishi Sunak’s response.

“But I do think they need to demand that people come back to offices and support the City, support the economy,” he said at the time.

“The City is suffering as there are no workers there, so until they really push to get more people there it will continue to look like a ghost town.”

Lord Sugar has also fallen out with Piers Morgan over the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Apprentice star and the 55-year-old Good Morning Britain host had long exchanged insults on Twitter in good humour, but their relationship turned sour earlier this year and Morgan has blocked Lord Sugar on the social media platform.

This week Lord Sugar tweeted in response to the death of former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, writing: “Sad news on Gerard Houllier. Nice fellow. I can imagine that Piers Morgan will devote half GMB show telling everyone how he knew him so well and go back ages.”

Morgan’s son Spencer wrote on Twitter: “Using a man’s death to have a pop at someone else. New low.”

Lord Sugar responded: “You can’t get lower than your father. I know it hurts to see the truth. Now be a good little boy and shut the f*** up.”

Watch: Lord Sugar reveal he is backing Boris Johnson