It is with great sadness that we announce the death of former Councillor, Mayor and Alderman of Barking and Dagenham Milton McKenzie MBE, at the age of 90.

Mr McKenzie was first elected to the Council in 1998 to represent the Gascoigne Ward. He continued to represent that ward until 2010 when he became a councillor for Chadwell Heath Ward, the area that he lived in. He stepped down as a councillor in 2014.

Mr McKenzie was awarded an MBE in June 2009, as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours list, in recognition of his dedicated services to trade unionism, as well as his work to promote diversity and equal opportunities within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. He was elected by his peers as Mayor of the Borough for the 2011/12 municipal year and was appointed an Honorary Alderman in 2016.

Mr McKenzie is survived by his wife Jemma and their children. Those wishing to send their personal condolences may do so by sending them to the family address: 46 Geneva Gardens, Chadwell Heath, Romford RM6 6SL.

Cllr Dominic Twomey, Leader of the Council, said: “Milton was a great source of support and wisdom over the many years I was privileged to know him. 

“He was a dedicated public servant and his decades long fight for racial and women's equality in the workplace as a Union shop steward at Fords and his championing of sporting opportunities for young people in the borough will continue to inspire for years to come. 

"Milton was a towering presence in the borough, and he will be dearly missed. My thoughts are with Milton's family and his many friends.”

The borough flag was flown at half-mast yesterday as a mark of respect for Mr McKenzie’s dedicated public service on behalf of the whole of Barking and Dagenham.