FORMER Glasgow Labour Group leader Malcolm Cunning has died aged 65.
Mr Cunning served as the Councillor for the Linn ward for almost 20 years having first been elected in 2003.
He was appointed the city's bailie after being re-elected this year.
He took on the role of leading the Glasgow Labour Group in 2020 but was ousted earlier this year by George Redmond.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Very sad to hear this news. I first knew Malcolm when he was councillor for the old Strathbungo ward in my constituency.
Very sad to hear this news. I first knew Malcolm when he was councillor for the old Strathbungo ward in my constituency. He was a man deeply committed to his party but always courteous on the campaign trail. My condolences to his family and Labour colleagues https://t.co/5E631iJiHz
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) September 4, 2022
"He was a man deeply committed to his party but always courteous on the campaign trail.
"My condolences to his family and Labour colleagues."
Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken paid tribute to Cunning on social media. She said: “Terribly sad to learn of the death of Bailie Malcolm Cunning @Malcolm4Linn.
“A thoughtful, sincere and intelligent man, his political experience will be much missed in the City Chambers.
“My deep condolences to Malcolm’s family especially his son Morgan, of whom he was very proud.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also paid tribute to Cunning on Twitter. He said: “Sad to share the news that Malcolm Cunning has died.
“He took me on some of my first trips campaigning as a teen and I remember so clearly his passion to build a better world.
“He loved Glasgow and he loved our party.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his friends & family.”
Labour Cllr Eva Murray, who serves Glasgow’s Garscadden/Scotstounhill ward also paid tribute, saying she was “very fortunate to have known Malcolm”.
She said: “There is more I could say in tribute to my friend Malcolm Cunning but today hurts.
“I will miss his quips in Council, his tales of Aberdeenshire & his chats. I will miss him – we have lost one of the best.
“My thoughts are with Malcolm’s son, sister & all those who loved him.”
She continued: “From office roommates to education committee pals to Glasgow’s Labour leadership team.
“I feel very fortunate to have known Malcolm, to have been able to call him a colleague, a mentor & a good friend.
“Our Glasgow Labour Group will never quite be the same without him.”
