Redmond O’Neill, who I was very privileged to know and count as a friend and close colleague, died yesterday.

I have not worked out precisely what I want to say right now but Ken Livingstone has issued a statement which I have reproduced below and which says a lot of it.

Redmond was one of the best and most extraordinary people I have been fortunate to know. He was completely committed to the capacity of humanity to advance and progress, and he was the most brilliant, tireless and selfless person.

Here’s Ken’s statement.

—–

Ken Livingstone said:

“Redmond O’Neill, who died yesterday while undergoing surgery for a recurrence of cancer, served for eight years as my director on transport and public affairs in London and as Deputy Chief of Staff. He was one of the people who oversaw the development of the Greater London Authority from a small group of officials to a fully-fledged city administration during a period when London rose ahead of even New York as the number one city in the world.

“His work contributed greatly to that success.

“He was the day-to-day link between the Mayor’s Office and Transport for London during the period when London’s bus system was completely rebuilt and upgraded, when public transport use soared, when the congestion charge was introduced, and when the funding for Crossrail was secured.

“He was the link with London’s communities and established in London one of the largest programmes of celebrations of different communities of any major city in the world – including St Patrick’s Day, St George’s Day, Eid, Simcha on the Square, Diwali, Chinese New Year and many others. These helped make London one of the most admired socially diverse cities in the world.

“His work helped played a major role in reducing racist attacks in the city and ensuring community harmony in London after the 7 July 2005 terrorist attack.

“He was a person of great physical and moral courage. Even when originally diagnosed with extremely grave cancer he worked up to the last day before his first operation and returned to work immediately on his recovery. He was an outstanding servant of London and all its communities.

“Whilst he was tenacious in seeking to pursue a course in the interests of the city his personal charm and joie de vivre meant he was held in deep affection by the many who knew and worked with him.”