Tributes flood in following the death of Dundee Councillor Charlie Malone
Dundee Labour say Charlie was a lifelong campaigner for equality, justice and peace
Last updated 29th Jul 2024
Dundee councillor Charlie Malone has died, aged 63.
He was elected to represent the Lochee ward in 2017 and 2022.
Labelled a "lifelong campaigner for equality, justice and peace", he also served as an International Management lecturer at Abertay University.
The University have set up a book of condolences for "colleagues, students, alumni and the wider public to leave messages of remembrance and support."
He also played a key role in the Timex dispute in 1993, serving as a union shop steward.
Many friends, colleagues and fellow Dundonians have been paying tribute.
In a statement, Dundee Labour said: "The Labour Party is deeply saddened at the passing of our friend and colleague Charlie Malone. Charlie was a lifelong campaigner for equality, justice and peace.
"He loved the community of Lochee in which he and his beloved family were raised and which he proudly served with passion and diligence.
"He was offended by poverty wherever he found it. His prominent and proud role in the Timex dispute was about standing up for, and shoulder to shoulder with his fellow worker, which he did all his life.
"Charlie was a socialist, with a powerful voice for the powerless, a cutting tonge for the establishment and the warmest of smiles for his friends. We will miss him sorely."
On social media, Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar said: "Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Councillor Charlie Malone.
"He will be warmly remembered as a fantastic champion for Lochee and a tireless campaigner for social justice. My thoughts are with his friends and family."
"He will be sorely missed"
North East Scotland MSP, Michael Marra, who served alongside Charlie Malone as a Lochee Councillor, says he will be remembered very fondly. He said: "I think Charlie will be remembered very well and very fondly by the many people he helped as a councillor, but also, right throughout his life.
"I think he will also be remembered as a proud Dundonian and a proud Lochee man who had great love for his city and his community and always wanted the best for those around him.
"My love goes to his partner and his family for the great man that they have lost."
Dundee City Council leader, John Alexander, paid tribute saying: "We are all devastated to hear of Charlie's passing.
"He was an absolute gent, someone who was always true to his values and spoke passionately from the heart.
"People sometimes think that politicians of different political persuasions don't get on but they do. Charlie was someone that I had tremendous respect and admiration for and the city has lost a good man and ambassador."
Liberal Democrat Group Leader on Dundee City Council Bailie Fraser Macpherson added to tributes, saying: “The members of our group on the council are very saddened by the passing of Councillor Charlie Malone.
“Charlie was held in the highest regard by all members of the council – a hard-working and able councillor for the people of Lochee, whose residents he represented with distinction. He always spoke with passion and eloquence.
“We will all miss Charlie greatly – one of the good guys - liked and respected by all.”
Professor Liz Bacon, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at Abertay University said: “Charlie Malone was someone who embodied the values of fairness, dignity and respect that we prize at the University and his passing comes as a significant shock to the Abertay community.
“He was an excellent educator, was passionate about supporting our widening access mission and was someone with the courage to stand up for what he believed in, particularly for the rights of his colleagues and the best interests of his many students and graduates.
“He was universally liked and respected by all and achieved this thanks to his professionalism, his humour and his crystal-clear dedication to his role here and in civic life.
“To have had a public figure like Charlie as such a long-serving colleague has been really beneficial for the University and his insights into local politics, coupled with his unwavering commitment to driving forward the best interests of Dundee, made him an important senior figure and a trusted sounding board.
“Through his work in both teaching and management roles, Charlie was integral to the success of our business programmes and was responsible for making sure the academic content delivered was first-rate and kept pace with the demands of the modern world.
“The long-running Innovation for Global Growth programme, which has seen major employers such as Heineken, RBS, BT and the SFA partner with the University, very much underlined Charlie’s commitment to creating opportunities for his students and preparing them for the world of work.
“We have arranged for a book of condolences for colleagues, students, alumni and the wider public to leave messages of remembrance and support and I have written to Charlie’s family to express our condolences on behalf of all those at the University. He will be sorely missed.”