The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Tributes to big-hearted councillor
Council leader and Perth champion Ian Campbell passes away after cancer battle
Politicians from across the divide have paid tribute to the leader of Perth and Kinross Council who died suddenly after a brief cancer battle.
Ian Campbell fell critically ill on Monday and passed away overnight.
The 66-year-old Highland councillor, described as a “big man with a big heart”, had kept his illness private. Colleagues said he spent the weekend making calls while working on next week’s budget.
They described him as a champion for Perth and Kinross “with a wicked sense of humour” who led with “true grit and determination”.
Mr Campbell was the council’s first Tory leader for more than 20 years.
Tributes have poured in for the leader of Perth and Kinross Council, who died suddenly after a private battle with cancer.
Ian Campbell, who became leader of the local authority in May, was described as a “big man with a big heart” by Provost Dennis Melloy.
The 66-year-old Conservative councillor fell critically ill on Monday.
Friends and colleagues said he was still phoning councillors at the weekend, in preparation for next week’s budget talks.
The news was broken by depute council leader Murray Lyle in a statement issued just before 11am.
“It is with the greatest shock and sadness that we have learned our friend and colleague Ian Campbell has died suddenly,” he said.
“As an elected member for Highland Perthshire since 2007, leader of the council’s Conservative group since 2016, and most recently as leader of Perth and Kinross Council, Ian has been a dedicated and passionate advocate for this area.
“His commitment to education, healthcare, and championing rural Perthshire was clear to everyone who met him.
“He was dedicated to his duties as a local councillor, attending each of the 11 community councils in Highland Perthshire. I was proud to work alongside him.
“The whole council sends its condolences to Ian’s wife Pam, his daughters, and grandchildren at this very sad time.”
Local Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Although we all knew he was unwell, everyone expected him to recover from his illness quickly.
“Ian was both a close political colleague and a great friend for many years.
“He was highly regarded by his constituents in Highland Perthshire, to whom he was devoted.”
Tributes also came from political rivals.
Local SNP MSP John Swinney said: “I was very sorry to hear of the death of Ian Campbell and extend my deepest condolences to his wife Pam, his family and his colleagues.
“Ian represented his constituents with energy and commitment and made a strong contribution to the leadership of the council.”
SNP MP Pete Wishart said: “Whilst Ian and I were often on different sides of political debate, I always found him easy to work with and he always had the interests of Perthshire at heart.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Barrett said: “I will remember Ian as a council leader with a mission.
“A staunch Tory with a wicked sense of humour who enjoyed the political hurley burley, who gave as good as he got and didn’t bear a grudge.
“The most telling mark of the man is the commitment he demonstrated as council leader to the end.”
Tory MSP Alexander Stewart said that Mr Campbell led the council with “true grit and determination”.
“He was strong, forthright and prepared to stand his ground on many issues but, above all, he was passionate about the United Kingdom and it remaining together,” said Mr Stewart.
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, said: “I am very sorry to hear of Ian’s death and my thoughts and condolences are with his friends, colleagues and, most particularly, the family who are mourning the loss of a husband, father and grandfather.”