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.”
Mr Murray said: “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.
Very sorry to hear of the death of @PerthandKinross Leader Ian Campbell. My condolences to his family and his colleagues.
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) February 6, 2018
“The whole council sends its condolences to Ian’s wife Pam, his daughters, and grandchildren at this very sad time.”
Mr Melloy added: “He was a big man with a big heart who gave his all as leader of this council.”
Local Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser added: “Although we all knew he was unwell, everyone expected him to recover from his illness quickly.
Devastating news of the sudden death of my great friend & colleague Cllr Ian Campbell @highlandian – leader of @PerthandKinross. All thoughts with Pam & the family.
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) February 6, 2018
“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. This close connection was reflected in the huge personal vote he achieved in the Highland Ward in last May’s elections.”
Mr Fraser said: “Ian will be missed enormously by political colleagues and by his constituents. My thoughts are with his wife Pam, his daughters, and all the family, at this difficult time.”
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. He will be sorely missed in Perthshire.”
SNP MP Pete Wishart added: “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.”
He added: “The most telling mark of the man is the commitment he demonstrated as council leader to the end. He did not reveal his battle with cancer or let it get in the way of delivering his first budget in that he was fiercely private and did not want the attention.”
Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire said: “Ian Campbell’s commitment to this area and to the people he represented was clear for all to see.
“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.”
