British mother-of-five and ‘dedicated councillor’ dies of coronavirus aged 39 after falling ill during trip to Pakistan
- Councillor Shabnum Sadiq worked for Slough Borough Council for four years
- She fell ill while on a trip to Pakistan and died of coronavirus complications
- The flags at the council offices fly at half mast as a sign of respect
A married British mother-of-five and ‘dedicated councillor’ died of coronavirus yesterday aged 39.
Councillor Shabnum Sadiq, who had worked at Slough Borough Council for four years, had fallen ill while on a trip to Pakistan.
Pat Midgley, 82, was the first serving politician to die in the UK from coronavirus last Monday. She was a Labour Councillor who served 33 years in Sheffield.
Labour councillor Frank Rust, who was deputy mayor of Rushmoor Borough Council, Hampshire, died a day later.
Councillor Shabnum Sadiq died of coronavirus aged 39 after falling ill on a trip to Pakistan
Leader of Slough Borough Council Councillor James Swindlehurst said: ‘This is very shocking for all of us and our thoughts are with her family and friends.
‘Shabnum was a dedicated councillor and despite only being in her first term, she had made a contribution far beyond the years she’d spent in the council chamber.
‘We worked together closely and personally I will miss her very deeply.
‘This is a significant loss for the council and the town, but is nothing compared to the loss her family, close friends and community are feeling right now.
‘This has brought home to us that not only is this virus something we have to deal with as a town, but also personally; through our work, through our actions and through our grief for those it has taken.
‘Behind every statistic about this virus is a family ripped apart and there is no starker example of that, to us in the council, than to lose one of our colleagues.
‘May she rest in peace and her family find comfort in the love she had for them all.’
Councillor Sadiq was elected to Wexham Lea ward and was lead member of education and children’s services. She served on council committees.
Councillors and the headteacher of Slough and Eton CofE Business and Enterprise College share their condolences after Councillor Sadiq’s death
Leader of Southwark Council Councillor Peter John OBE said: ‘Very sad to read this news.
‘Shabnum was a lovely lady and a great part of the @LGA-Labour Next Generation course last year.’
Councillor Jonathan Slater from Lewisham Council said: ‘I’ll second that.
‘I found her a very kind and generous person when I met her as part of our programme cohort. Rest in peace x.’
Leader of Enfield Council Nesil Caliskan said: ‘I met Shabnum on the @LGA-Labour Next Gen Programme. Smart, feisty and wise.
Shabnum Sadiq was a ‘dedicated councillor’ for Slough Borough Council for four years after she was elected to the Wexham Lea ward in May 2016
‘Above anything else, I remember the pride and love with which she spoke about her children. May you rest in peace Shabnum. x’
Headteacher at Slough and Eton CofE Business and Enterprise College Peter Collins said: ‘This is very sad news.
‘The people of Slough have lost a great champion and a huge supporter of education in the town. She was always a pleasure to work with.
‘My deepest condolences to her family and friends.’
The flags at council offices Observatory House and St Martins Place are flying at half mast as a sign of respect.