Sir Dick Knowles, former Labour leader of Birmingham City Council, died yesterday at the age of 90.

I only had the pleasure of Dick's company a few times but he was a formidable man.

He was leader of the Labour Group from 1984 to 1993. Dick lived with his wife, Anne, in Bartley Green and I went to one of their famous Garden Parties where it felt like I met everyone who'd ever been a member of the labour party in Birmingham. It was an exciting event and the Knowles' were wonderful hosts.

My abiding memory of Dick is meeting him for the first time and him crushing my hand to putty and slapping me on the back and calling me "comrade". I'm actually quite upset about it and will miss his fighting spirit.

My thoughts and prayers are with Anne and her family.