'A strong character' and 'lovely man': Wakefield councillors add to tributes to former member and fundraiser Brian Hazell

Brian Hazell received an MBE for his charity work in 2011.

Beloved family man Brian Hazell died last Saturday after contracting Covid, at the age of 87.

Besides his business and avid charity work, which would earn him an MBE, Brian was a key figure in Wakefield politics in the late 20th century and early 2000s, alongside his elder brother Norman.

Brian served as the deputy leader of the council's Tory group while representing constituents in the Wakefield South ward.

Brian, alongside his brother Norman, were well-known figures within the local Conservative party in the 1990s.

He would also become the first Conservative to hold a Cabinet post in Wakefield, while Norman became the district's first mayor from the party.

Speaking on Wednesday, the current leader of the Labour-run council, Denise Jeffery, said: "Brian was a lovely man.

"He was from a different party to me, but he didn't toe party politics very much. He was there for his community. He steadily got on with his work.

"When he stood down from the council I think people missed him.

"I was very sorry to hear the news and I've sent my best wishes to his family."

Both Brian and Norman fell out with the Conservatives in the early 2000s and left the party. Brian would later lose his seat in 2004 after standing as independent.

However, the current leader of the Wakefield Conservative group, Nadeem Ahmed, said he had great respect for a man described by his family as someone who "touched the hearts of everyone he met".

Coun Ahmed said: "Brian was a very, very good person.

"He was a very committed family man and committed to his church. He did a significant amount of charity work.

"I always thought he was tough and a strong character. He was respected across West Yorkshire and a very well known figure.

"There was a dispute between him and the Conservative Party when I was coming through in the party, but in my eyes he was always very loyal to his community and the people of Sandal."

A minute's silence was also held at a council scrutiny meeting on Tuesday, as a mark of respect.

Local Democracy Reporting Service