Tributes to Barnet councillor Brian Gordon who dies aged 64

Barnet councillor Brian Gordon has died at the age of 64 – just two days after he was due to have been inducted as Mayor of the borough.

Gordon, from Edgware, was a Conservative councillor and deeply involved in Orthodox Jewish communal life. The cause of death has not been confirmed, but he had been diagnosed with cancer.

A solicitor by profession and a trustee of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, Gordon was due to have been confirmed as mayor earlier this week, having been elected in March, but the ceremony was postponed due to his ill health.

Due to celebrate his 65th birthday next month, Gordon was a regular columnist for Jewish News over the last decade and was known for his controversial views on such issues as immigration and sex education in schools.

Not all supported his selection as mayor, with a petition launched in July opposing this.

Among the local charities he worked with were Stonegrove Community Trust and Days & Atkinson Almshouses, the latter providing housing for socially-deprived families and individuals.

He was elected to Barnet Council in 1998, representing initially Hale, then Edgware, and has held several senior council positions, including as chair of Hendon Area Planning Committee. He was also a governor of Rosh Pinah Primary School.

As an executive member of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations he represented Edgware Machzikei Hadass and was recently elected vice-chair of the Union’s external affairs committee.

Writer and comedian Lee Kern tweeted about the “sad news,” adding: “He taught me my bar mitzvah, was always happy to help my family and was very, very accepting of us not being frum… I really, really liked him.”

The Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Dan Thomas, and the Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Caroline Stock, paid tribute following his death.

Thomas, said “Brian was a valued Councillor and respected member of the Conservative Group, who passionately represented Edgware ward for over two decades and I know that the whole community will be reeling from this sad news.

“As well as being a committed Councillor, Brian was a keen journalist and legal counsellor, always keen to vocally support the causes close to his heart. He was also a well-known and respected member of his community at Machazikei Haddass in Edgware.

“On a personal note, I always appreciated Brian’s experience, questions and advice, and will sorely miss him.

“I have reached out to Councillor Gordon’s family on behalf of the Conservative Group, and they remain in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Mayor Caroline Stock, also paid tribute, saying: “I am not sure words can sum up how sad it is to hear this news in the week that Brian was going to become the Mayor.

“I know how much he was looking forward to taking on this role, together with his wife Julie.

“I send the whole family my sincerest thoughts and heartfelt sympathy and wish them all the strength to get through this difficult time.”