Illtyd Harrington, British politician, died at 84

  Dead Famous

Illtyd Harrington, born on July 14, 1931 and died October 1, 2015.

Illtyd was a British Labour Party politician who served as deputy leader of the Greater London Council (1981–1984) and then subsequently as chairman (1984 to 1985). He was a political ally of Ken Livingstone.

Illtyd was born in Dowlais to Timothy and Susan Harrington, both involved in politics: his father was a Communist who fought in the Spanish Civil War and his mother an anti-fascist and Catholic.

Illtyd studied at Trinity University College to become a teacher.

He moved to London to take up a job in Brixton and then moved on to Daneford School in Bethnal Green.

His political career started with election to the borough council in Paddington in 1959.

In 1964, Illtyd moved up to the Westminster City Council and the GLC.

Illtyd tried to become an MP, but was not selected by the party.

His nephew is the actor Richard Harrington.

Illtyd Harrington was openly gay and lived for fifty years with his partner, Chris Downes, who worked as a theatrical dresser. Downes died in 2003.