Obituary: Mr John Clifford

I am grateful for the opportunity to offer a tribute to John Clifford, a member of the International Standing Committee, whose recent sudden death still feels unreal. I first met John on the “European Circuit” in the early 1990s, when he was a councillor with Lothian Regional Council and before I came to Edinburgh in 1994 from Humberside in the north of England. At that time the Assembly of European Regions, the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions and the North Sea Commission were the leading edge of the principle of subsidiarity in the changing political scene across Europe. His experience and knowledge of Europe never waned as he consistently and conscientiously involved himself in all matters global and local in Scotland and in Edinburgh. He was ubiquitous, moving effortlessly between political, diplomatic, and social networks. His tenure as Dean of the Consular Corps gave him an influential platform and he championed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Consular Corps and the University of Edinburgh.

He brought these attributes to the International Standing Committee not just for the official committee meetings but very much on a continuous basis motivated by a determination to be supportive to the staff and students at the university. He kept me on my toes as convener because he was keenly aware of current issues and so passionate to correct a perceived injustice. His contribution to the General Council over the years was unquestionably in support of the University of Edinburgh.

It is hard to accept that conversation with John will no longer be possible and “town and gown” has lost a great advocate. No more walks in the Royal Botanic Gardens. He will be missed with great fondness. My sincere condolences to his family and closest friends.

Krystyna Szumelukowa

Convener

International Standing Committee