Ex-London deputy mayor Nicky Gavron dies ‘peacefully at her home’ aged 82 as Labour MPs lead tributes
FORMER London deputy mayor Nicky Gavron has died ‘peacefully at her home’ aged 82 – with Labour MPs leading tributes.
Gavron served as deputy mayor of the capital under Ken Livingstone from 2000 to 2008.
Her official Twitter account posted: “Nicky’s family is very sad to announce that she has died.
“She passed away peacefully at home on 30th August.”
London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Devastated to hear the news about my dear friend Nicky Gavron.
“Her service to our city was immeasurable, as a councillor, Deputy Mayor and Assembly Member.
“To me, she was not just a kind and generous friend, but also a teacher and a mentor.
“Her commitment to tackling climate change inspired many, and she pioneered many of the policies that have led London to be the world leader it is today.
“I have so many wonderful memories of Nicky over the years. She will be missed terribly.
“My thoughts are with her daughters Sarah and Jessica, her wider family and loved ones.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “Very sad to hear my dear friend Nicky Gavron has passed.
“A stalwart of London and Haringey politics, she was a life force at City Hall.
“Passionate about the Climate Emergency, the Built Environment and Urban Planning she improved the lives of so many people.”
Lammy added: “Generous, kind and engaging she will be hugely missed.”
London Tory Andrew Boff said: “I’m devastated to hear of the passing of Nicky Gavron.
“I loved that woman: strong enough to fight for what she believed in and brave enough to change her mind when the evidence demanded it.
“A huge loss to London. I will miss her greatly.”
Gavron was born Felicia Nicolette Gavron in Worcester at the height of the Second World War in 1941.
Her mother was a Jewish refugee who had fled Nazi Germany at persecution mounted in 1936.
In 2008 Gavron told the Evening Standard her mother had been chosen to dance for Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Olympics.
But Gavron’s mother was dropped after Nazi chiefs found out she was Jewish.
Gavron moved from Worcester to London in the 1960s to study the history of art at the Courtauld Institute.
She got into politics in the 1970s while campaigning against the widening of the A1.
Gavron won worldwide acclaim for her campaigning on environmental issues.
She married publishing tycoon Robert Gavron in 1967 before divorcing in 1987.
Gavron is survived by the couple’s daughters Jessica, a lawyer, and Sarah, a film director.