Tributes as former mayor dies

Sunday, 11 May 2008 09:00

A CROSS-party tribute has been paid to former Labour Mayor and Councillor John Riley who has died in Poplar aged 79.

He had given 26 years of service to the people of Tower Hamlets as a ward councillor for Limehouse and later on for Shadwell.

When he was Mayor from 1977 to 1978 he was the borough's representative during the Queen's Silver Jubilee Celebrations.

Both Leader and deputy Leader of the council, he also played a prominent role in the administration, finance and social service committees of the council. He was also a leading member of the London Boroughs Association.

The ex-councillor was awarded the Freedom of the Borough in May 1995 in recognition of his services to the public.

A statement from current political leaders said: "We are very grateful for the hard work and dedication with which he undertook all of his public roles and the way he worked tirelessly to improve the borough for the benefit of local people."

They extended condolences to his widow, Emily, and the rest of his family.

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