Finance Minister Eugene Cox, who is suffering from stomach cancer, has taken a turn for the worse and is in a “critical” condition in hospital in Boston, Government confirmed in a statement yesterday.

Mr. Cox was surrounded at the Lahey Clinic yesterday by his wife Alinda, sons Robert and Jeremy, daughter Paula Cox, the Attorney General and Education Minister, and a sister.

Mr. Cox, 75, was diagnosed last year as suffering from cancer and he had been receiving out-patient treatment at the hospital since mid-December.

But the minister “has taken a turn for the worse. He is now in critical condition and has been admitted to the Lahey Clinic,” said the Department of Communication and Information yesterday.

“His close family is with him, including his wife, sister and children. Our prayers are with the minister and his family.”

Last night, Acting Premier Terry Lister and Acting Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley, said Bermuda would be praying for Mr. Cox.

Mr. Lister said: “The Government is praying very, very hard for Minister Cox and his family, for whom we care very deeply.

“He has been a great, great servant to the people of Bermuda for many, many years and I know the people of Bermuda will join us in prayer at this time.”

And Mr. Dunkley said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and for him and his family as they go through this difficult period.

“He has been a real champion fighting this health problem in the last few months and he is certainly a gentleman the United Bermuda Party has respected for many, many years.

“He is a solid man, a good character, and we hope the good Lord gives him strength to fight on, and we continue to pray for him.”

Mr. Cox was first taken to hospital last February and was so ill he had to miss the Budget debate.

He was later readmitted within the month in March, although the nature of the illness was not disclosed at that time.

Last month, after months of speculation about his declining health, Mr. Cox said it was time to “take a break” and that he may consider stepping down after next month's budget.

The Lahey Clinic in Boston is where the former Tourism Minister David Allen was treated for abdomen cancer shortly before he died in September, 2002.