Prime Minister Andy Burnham's meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney carried deep emotional significance on Tuesday night, as Mr Carney revealed he too lost his father to Alzheimer's disease.
The two politicians were pictured together in the stands at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium, where they watched the club they both support play Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Carabao Cup tie. Both leaders wore Alzheimer's Society forget-me-not flowers on their lapels, and Mr Carney told Mr Burnham: "I know that struggle."
Emotional tributes at the match
A photo of Roy Burnham, who died earlier this week, was shown on the stadium's big screens before kick-off, and a tribute was made at half-time. Posing for photographs in front of British and Canadian flags in the directors' clubroom, Mr Burnham said: "What a real, life privilege this is for me to welcome the Prime Minister of Canada."
"We share so much, Mark - we have a few Liverpool connections, Ireland connections, but, of course, Everton connections - and it's going to be a special occasion."
Shared history and future cooperation
Mr Carney said the first Everton match he attended was the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, the game that took place on the day of the Hillsborough disaster, which Mr Burnham has also spoken about attending. Mr Carney praised Mr Burnham for his role in "bringing justice and closure" for the families of the 97 Liverpool fans who died.
Mr Burnham described the former Bank of England governor as a "great progressive leader" and pointed to potential future co-operation on defence and AI. "It's just so good for me to think I will have somebody to talk to and commiserate about Everton at a G7 meeting," he said. "You are so welcome to Liverpool and, obviously, to your beloved club - the new home of Everton."
Meeting and matchday experience
Mr Carney said there was scope for the two countries to "build together", including on shared values around AI. "It is an honour to be here. It is a pleasure to be here," he added. After the 45-minute meeting, the pair swapped suits for blue and white Everton scarves and took their seats in the stands, shaking hands and posing for photos with supporters along the way.
Mr Burnham first invited Mr Carney to a match when the two spoke in July, shortly after he took office. Mr Carney adopted Everton as his team after moving to the UK, while Mr Burnham has been a regular at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, which opened last year, since becoming Prime Minister.
