THE death has been reported of a former Thurrock councillor who often courted controversy while serving his community.

John Cowell was a Conservative Thurrock Borough councillor for the Aveley and Uplands ward from 2004 to 2011. During his tenure in office, which saw him re-elected in 2007, he was regarded as a passionate advocate for the town and local community – but he was never afraid to speak his mind even if that sometimes landed him in trouble.

In 2007 he was suspended after breaking Thurrock Council's code of conduct after being found guilty of disclosing confidential information discussed at a meeting of the Council's licensing sub-committee.

And in 2010 he said he was the victim of an "attempted blackmail plot" after he was secretly filmed discussing planning permission for an unauthorised lorry park in West Thurrock.

In 2011l he fell out with some of his Conservative colleagues after backing UKIP candidate Tim Aker in a forthcoming election. He said: "Young Tim Aker is a fine candidate and I agree with many of his policies, especially with respect to immigration and the European Union."

Thurrock Conservatives have declined to comment on Mr Cowell's passing, though his Labour rival Cllr John Kent who was leader of the opposition during much of then Cllr Cowell's service, said: "John was an affable character and a fierce advocate for Aveley where he lived and represented on the council. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."