Tributes have been paid to a former Lord Mayor of Liverpool who was instrumental in the city’s European Capital of Culture bid.
Former colleagues have lined up to pay their respects to Frank Doran MBE after he lost his long battle with Alzheimer's disease, aged 72. Mr Doran was Lord Mayor of the city in 1996-7 and, as cabinet member for culture in 2008, helped secure Liverpool’s transformational status as European Capital of Culture. During his time at the Town Hall, the former councillor also flew to New York to personally present Yoko Ono with John Lennon’s Freeman of the City.
Mr Doran spoke bravely about his fight with Alzheimer's, having been diagnosed in 2013 and said: “I have Alzheimer’s, it doesn’t have me. I am fighting it with the same vigour I needed one hundred miles behind enemy lines in Iraq.” Away from the Town Hall, Mr Doran served in the Parachute Regiment for more than a decade before spending 25 years in the intelligence corps.
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While on active service in Kuwait, the former cabinet member discovered his hard work on promoting Liverpool had been successful, seeing himself on television presenting the city’s bid to Tony Blair, having begun planning the bid back in 1998. Retiring from the armed forces in 2009, Mr Doran was also a long term servant to the University of Liverpool, acting as a teaching technician in the department of chemistry from 1970 to 2011.
He was made an MBE in the New Year’s Honours in 2016 for services to the community in Liverpool. In 2014, Mr Doran was made an honorary alderman of the city of Liverpool for his long service to the council. Having been first elected to his Kensington ward in May 1973, Mr Doran served his residents until May 2008.
As a mark of respect, Liverpool Town Hall will lower its flags to half mast and paid tribute to the “all-action politician” on social media, adding that he would be “greatly missed.” Cllr Richard Kemp, leader of the Liverpool Liberal Democrats, served alongside his great friend and colleague.
Paying tribute, he described Mr Doran as “a huge influence” and a “fighter”. He said: “Walking around ‘Kenny’ with Frank was an exercise in how to be a community politician.
“Everyone knew Frank and how to contact him. Walking down Boaler Street with him was like being part of a Royal entourage.”
Cllr Kemp added that Mr Doran was “a fighter for Kensington; a fighter for Liverpool; a fighter for the Liberal and later Liberal Democrat Party, a fighter for the city and a fighter for the country where he risked his life in challenging times. I have known so many councillors like him.
“Wishing only to help and serve the community and putting other people first they contribute so much to our country and often get scant recognition for their service. However, there are few that combined that concept of service and community with such determination and a wicked sense of humour which his old friends and acquaintances will no doubt mull over around a pint or two in the coming weeks and months.
“Our thoughts go out today to Sandra and his stepchildren and the many people who will pause to wipe away a tear or two at the passing of a great son of Liverpool.” Deputy leader Cllr Andrew Makinson added: “Sad news. Frank was a real character, Lord Mayor and most of all a powerful and loyal champion for Kensington and Fairfield.”
Lib Dem peer Chris Rennard tweeted: “Sad news Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool Frank Doran passed away this morning. A great friend and one of the original 48 Liberal Councillors who took control of the city in 1973.”
Mr Doran is survived by his wife Sandra and his two stepchildren.
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