Tributes paid to election candidate

Tributes have been paid following the sudden death of Laurence Leonard, one of the candidates in the forthcoming Kirkwall West and Orphir by-election, which is due to take place next week.

Orkney Islands Council said this afternoon that it had been notified of the death of Mr Leonard, who was also a member of Kirkwall Community Council.

Paying tribute to Mr Leonard, OIC convener Steven Heddle said: “I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Laurence Leonard. I first knew Laurence as a constituent when he contacted me about council issues, and then later as a contemporary when we were both standing for election to the council in 2012 and had discussions when he was researching the role of the councillor.

“I enjoyed speaking to him both in a council and in a social context, as his views were both forthright and well considered, not without humour, and he appreciated that there were two sides to every story.

“I and my fellow councillors who attend the Kirkwall and St Ola Community Council meetings could also clearly see that he took his role very seriously and the worthwhile contribution he made on behalf the people he represented.”

He added: “Laurence will be missed, and my thoughts and those of fellow councillors are with his family and friends.”

• The Electoral Commission has advised that the council is legally required to continue with the by-election as Mr Leonard was an independent candidate, and not standing as a representative of a political party.

The by-election will take place on Thursday November 27.

If anyone requires advice on the voting process please contact the council’s election team by email to electionoffice@orkney.gov.uk or by phoning  873535 ext. 2230.