A Dundee councillor and “lifelong campaigner for equality” has died aged 63.
Charlie Malone, who was elected as a Labour councillor in the Lochee ward in 2017 and again in 2022, died on Monday (July 29).
Mr Malone also worked as a lecturer in international management at Abertay University.
He played a prominent role in the 1993 Timex dispute, when he was a union shop steward and chair of the strike committee.
He featured in the BBC documentary, The Rise and Fall of Timex Dundee, which aired in 2019.
In a statement, Dundee Labour said: “The Labour Party is deeply saddened at the passing of our friend and colleague, Councillor Charlie Malone.
“Charlie was a lifelong campaigner for equality, justice and peace.
“He loved the community of Lochee in which he and his beloved family were raised and which he proudly served with passion and diligence.
“He was offended by poverty wherever he found it.
“His prominent and proud role in the Timex dispute was about standing up for, and shoulder to shoulder with his fellow worker, which he did all his life.
Charlie Malone: Dundee councillor ‘will be missed sorely’ after death
“Charlie was a socialist with a powerful voice for the powerless, a cutting tongue for the establishment and the warmest of smiles for his friends. We will miss him sorely.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also paid tribute, saying he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Mr Malone’s death.
Mr Sarwar added: “He will be warmly remembered as a fantastic champion for Lochee and a tireless campaigner for social justice. My thoughts are with his friends and family.”
Michael Marra, the Dundee-based North East Scotland MSP for Scottish Labour – who served as a Lochee councillor alongside Mr Malone – also paid tribute.
He said: “I’m thinking of his beloved family today.
“Charlie was a committed socialist, a hard-working Labour councillor, a brilliant ward mate and always great company.
“I’ll miss walking the streets of Lochee with him.”
Dundee City Council leader John Alexander (SNP) said: “We are all devastated to hear of Charlie’s passing.
“He was an absolute gent, someone who was always true to his values and spoke passionately from the heart.
“People sometimes think that politicians of different political persuasions don’t get on but they do.
“Charlie was someone that I had tremendous respect and admiration for and the city has lost a good man and ambassador.”
Dundee MSP Shona Robison also offered her condolences to Mr Malone’s family, telling The Courier he was a “well respected and hard working councillor who will be sorely missed”.
Bailie Fraser Macpherson, leader of the council’s Lib Dems group, said: “The members of our group on the council are very saddened by the passing of Councillor Charlie Malone.
“Charlie was held in the highest regard by all members of the council – a hard-working and able councillor for the people of Lochee, whose residents he represented with distinction.
“He always spoke with passion and eloquence.
“We will all miss Charlie greatly – one of the good guys – liked and respected by all.”
Abertay University to set up book of condolences
Abertay University has arranged for a book of condolences for colleagues, students, alumni and the wider public to pay tribute.
Professor Liz Bacon, principal and vice-chancellor, said Charlie’s death has come as a “significant shock to the Abertay community.”
She added: “He was an excellent educator, was passionate about supporting our widening access mission and was someone with the courage to stand up for what he believed in, particularly for the rights of his colleagues and the best interests of his many students and graduates.
“He was universally liked and respected by all and achieved this thanks to his professionalism, his humour and his crystal-clear dedication to his role here and in civic life.
“He will be sorely missed.”
Conversation