article_snippet.sent: The patient's discharge, transfer or leave of absence from hospital cannot be without the consent of the Secretary of State.
article_snippet.sent: The peer was found to have Alzheimer’s disease in 2009 but continued to speak in the House of Lords until December 2013.
article_snippet.sent: He defence team pleaded for 'mercy' because of He dementia and other illnesses
article_snippet.sent: He voted in the House of Lords 37 times in 2013 and took a formal leave of absence last October.
article_snippet.sent: When asked if He would consider retiring when the election was called, He responded in a personally signed letter received just three weeks ago - on April 9 - asking to continue in office.
article_snippet.sent: He has korsakoff's syndrome, a form of dementia .