TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving councillor, housing reformer and mentor to the next generation of local politicians.

Labour politicians past and present have shared their fond memories of Tehmtan Framroze who died last week.

The 75-year-old moved from his native Zanzibar in 1964 and worked at the University of Sussex library where he met his wife Marian who survives him.

He was also part of a film viewing working party that infamously banned the film 9½ Weeks from public cinemas in Brighton.

Andy Winter, Brighton Housing Trust chief executive and a former council colleague of Tehm as he was known to friends, said: “During his time as a councillor, he chaired the housing committee and was very concerned with standards in the private rented sector.

“The last time I saw him, in the same nursing home as my late mother-in-law, we spoke about housing and, though physically frail, his mind was as sharp as ever."

Council leader Warren Morgan said: “Tehm was my council chamber neighbour and mentor during my first term.

“The city owes him a great debt of thanks for his contribution to public life.”

Former council leaders Simon Burgess and Lord Bassam of Brighton also paid tribute with the former describing his "wonderful smile and great humour" while the latter said he "fought for social justice an end to poverty and good housing for all".

Current councillors also chipped in with Cllr Michael Inkpin-Leissner describing him as "an amazing man" and a "heartwarming character" while Cllr Penny Gilbey said he was "instrumental" in getting Portslade Downland Court Community Hall built.

Former Hove MP Ivor Caplin, who served as councillor alongside Tehm, described him as a “a tower of strength in the formative years of the new council”.