Warm tributes paid to Milton Keynes man of "faith, family, and cricket" who died of coronavirus in Pakistan

Subhan Shafiq died in hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, on June 14 and on Wednesday Milton Keynes councillors stood in silent tribute at a meeting of the full council.

Current mayor Andrew Geary (Cons, Newport North & Hanslope) spoke of memories he would treasure of the “hugely talented cricketer” and devout Muslim who loved his family.

Cllr Geary, a Christian, and Mr Shafiq, would discuss their faith and how they reconciled it with their politics.

Mr Shafiq was first elected as a Lib Dem councillor for the borough council’s Monkston ward in 2010, being re-elected four years later. He was also made mayor of the city in 2014.

His year in office was cut short after just three months after a taxi driver he personally vouched for was found to have been convicted of rape. A couple of months later he resigned as a councillor.

That episode was not mentioned as councillors spoke of the man and what he meant to them.

Lib Dem leader Cllr Douglas McCall (Newport Pagnell South) said: “He was first and foremost a husband and father, may he rest in peace.”

Cllr Vanessa McPake (Lib Dem, Monkston) said he “cared for all religions. The only time he had rows was over cricket.”

But she said she was happen when the Pakistan supporter got behind England when they played Australia in the Ashes.

She added: “He was passionate about driving and people adhering to the rules. He would knock on doors of residents for breaking the rules!”

Labour’s Cllr Mohammed Khan (Bletchley East) said he was a good friend and well known in the Bangladeshi community. He was a “really nice gentleman, very friendly.”

Cllr Jenni Ferrans (Lib Dem, Monskton) was visibly upset saying she was in “total shock when we heard the news on Monday.

“He was a man of religion, faith, family and peace. He would be the one who would listen to everyone and sought common ground.

“He pulled together common ground and found the way forward.”

And Tory leader Cllr Alex Walker (Stantonbury) said: “He was stolen from the world too early.”

Cllr Geary invited the eight people in the council chamber and the more than 50 councillors watching from home to stand in silence in memory of Mr Shafiq.