Council group leader dies at Lib Dem conference

Tributes paid to 'wonderful and warm-hearted' councillor

The leader of the Liberal Democrat group on a council has died suddenly at the party's annual conference in Brighton.

Cllr David Aveline, 62, from Westerham in Kent, was found dead in his hotel room on Monday morning.

The cause of his death is not yet known, but police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

'A huge loss'

Cllr Aveline was a long-serving member of Sevenoaks District Council and had been leader of the Lib Dem group since 2019.

He was also a member of Kent County Council and had served as a magistrate.

In a statement, Sevenoaks District Council said: "We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Cllr David Aveline.

"Cllr Aveline was a dedicated and passionate local politician who will be greatly missed by his colleagues, friends and family."

The council's Conservative leader, Cllr Peter Fleming, said: "David was a wonderful and warm-hearted man who was always willing to put the interests of others first."

"He was a great friend and colleague, and his death is a huge loss to the council and the community."

'A passionate advocate'

Kent County Council leader Roger Gough said: "David was a passionate advocate for his constituents and a dedicated public servant.

"He will be greatly missed by all who knew him."

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: "I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of David Aveline.

"David was a committed and hard-working councillor who always put the interests of his constituents first.

"He will be greatly missed by his colleagues and friends in the Liberal Democrats and by the people of Sevenoaks."