Tributes were made to a former leader of the council in a memorial service.

George Meehan, who died in July at the age of 72 was remembered as a “giant of a politician”, after over 40 years of working for Haringey Council.

Council members paid tribute to his memory at a full meeting on Thursday.

Haringey Council leader Claire Kober, said: “George knew people not only by sight or by name, but by where they lived, their families, their stories. He was the best kid of politician – totally committed, principled, proud and caring.”

Leader of the opposition Gail Engert, said: “George believed in the power of education to change lives. We will remember a gentleman and a principled man.”

Cllr Meehan was first elected as a Labour Party ward councillor in 1971 and served three periods as leader of the Council – from 1983 to 1985, 1999 to 2004 and 2006 to 2008.

The full council passed a formal motion in recognition of the contribution Cllr Meehan made to Haringey.

Cllr Meehan’s son Michael said the council chamber was his dad’s second home.

He said: “He loved being on the council, loved getting things done, especially all the things that made a difference to people’s lives. He was a wonderful man.”

The meeting also heard from others, including former councillor Jean Brown who said that Cllr Meehan is a “lesson to us on how to serve our community” and Haringey Unison branch secretary Sean Fox, who said he “made the borough a better place.”