Pembrokeshire County Council’s Leader has paid tribute to longserving county councillor Mike Stoddart - calling him a ‘prime example’ of what someone in local politics should be.

Pembrokeshire County Council said that it is deeply saddened to have learned of the death of the Milford Hakin County Councillor [known as ‘Old Grumpy’ from his blog] on Sunday, January 4.

Cllr Stoddart joined Pembrokeshire County Council following the elections in June 2004.

A former journalist who set up the Milford Mercury newspaper with his family in Pembrokeshire, Cllr Stoddart has served on Council alongside his wife Vivien, County Councillor for Milford Hubberston and daughter Tessa Hodgson, County Councillor for Lamphey and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

Mike’s wife, Vivien announced the news on January 4, sharing: “It is with great sadness that the Stoddart family announce that Mike passed away peacefully today at Withybush Hospital surrounded by his family.”

Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Cllr Jon Harvey, said: “I was deeply shocked to hear of Cllr Mike Stoddart’s death at the weekend.

“I pass on the condolences of everyone at the Council to his family and many friends.

“Mike was the prime example of what someone in local politics should be – working for and demanding better for his constituents.

“Mike was unashamedly forthright. He would argue his corner with conviction and always with facts on his side.

“He has kept me and many predecessors as Leader firmly on our toes. The chamber and Pembrokeshire as a whole will be much poorer for his loss.”

Fellow county councillor Tony Wilcox commented: “Been a privilege to have known him. County owes him a lot for uncovering the somewhat murkier side of local politics”, whilst Cllr Mark Carter remarked: “Very sad news, if ever there was a man who stuck his ground in what he believed in, it was Mike.”