Tributes paid to Manchester Council’s deputy leader

Sue Murphy

Tributes have been paid to Manchester council’s deputy leader Sue Murphy.

The councillor, who has been ill for several months, has died at the age of 59.

Coun Murphy death is not related to the coronavirus outbreak.

The councillor spent some time in hospital earlier this year but had been sent home.

Friends and family – including the city council leader Sir Richard Leese – have been paying tribute.

Sir Richard said: “Today Manchester has lost a great socialist and public servant who has dedicated her life to social justice and making the city, and the world, a better and fairer place for everybody – but especially those with the greatest needs.

“Over the years she has taken on many roles locally and nationally, including some of the most challenging issues we face as a society – tackling homelessness and the scourge of family poverty being just part of her council portfolio.
“I have lost a friend and colleague who has been alongside me for over a quarter of a century, for the last ten years as my deputy leader.

“The loss is a devastating shock. I will miss Sue, Manchester will miss Sue, but we can only imagine the feelings of her husband Paul and her family at the moment and, above all, my thoughts are with them.”
The Labour councillor represented Brooklands in Wythenshawe.

She was first elected in 1995 and become deputy leader of the council in 2010.

She was awarded the CBE in 2015.

Coun Pat Karney, secretary of Manchester council’s Labour group, said: “Everyone in the Labour group is heartbroken at this terrible news.

“All Labour members will have memories of her kindness and compassion. This news will take a long time to absorb.”

Joanne Roney OBE, chief executive of Manchester City Council, added: “Sue was a committed champion for women, for diversity and for the vulnerable through her work on tackling homelessness and poverty.

“She was a much-loved and well respected figure and her loss will touch many of our staff and community members deeply. She really helped drive forward innovative new ways of working in the council as we look to work ever more closely and constructively with our communities.”

The Mayor of Greater Manchester also paid tribute to Sue on social media:

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