Councillor Geoffrey Samuel, Conservative Councillor for Hampton North Ward, has died aged 92.

Cllr Samuel was first elected to the council in 1957 and has lived in the borough since 1957.

He was formerly the Headmaster of The Heathland School in Hounslow and for a number of years he was Deputy Chairman of the Richmond Bench.

As former Deputy Leader of the Council, he was successively Cabinet Member for Schools and Cabinet Member for Finance.

He also worked as Opposition spokesman on Adult Services and Health.

In a press release, Twickenham Conservatives said: "It is with deep regret and enormous sadness that we announce the death of Councillor Geoffrey Samuel, who passed away this morning, 10th November 2023 aged 92."

They described Geoffrey as 'a political giant, a fighter, and fiercely tenacious.', in his 'life of public service'.

They added: "As a councillor representing various wards and boroughs during a remarkable 70 years, he was also a man of wisdom, political acumen and, most of all, absolute integrity. 

"Everyone in Twickenham, regardless of political persuasion, will recognise the great loss we have all sustained with his passing.

"Members of the Twickenham Conservative Association will feel a particular sense of loss, as Geoffrey was the father figure to whom we all looked whenever difficulties, political or otherwise, arose. His guidance, knowledge, strength of character and humanity were second to none.

"Twickenham and the surrounding constituencies are a more sad and sorrowful place today.

"Our thoughts are with his wife, Lona, to whom we extend our very deepest sympathies.

"Geoffrey, rest in peace – we will miss you enormously, but we will never forget you."

Tributes for the councillor have been pouring in on social media site X (formerly Twitter), with friends and colleagues describing him as 'committed' and 'courteous.'

Other tributes have said that he was always willing to give people advice and that he was 'a friend', 'mentor' and 'role model.'