Flags are flying at half mast following the sudden death of a much respected Kensal Green councillor.

Cllr Dan Filson, a Labour councillor who lived in Bathurst Gardens, died at home on Friday.

The popular councillor was first elected to Brent Council in May 2014 and earlier this year was elected as chair of the council’s scrutiny committee.

He had been a councillor in neighbouring Hammersmith & Fulham for 12 years where he had also served as Mayor.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council said: “It’s come as a complete shock to everyone.

Dan was an outstanding servant to his community serving for along time in neighbouring Hammersmith & Fulham and most recently as chair of Brent Council’s scrutiny committee.

“He had an inquisitive mind and had a renowned attention to detail which made him a formidable councillor and one of the stalwarts here at Brent. He will be truly missed by all of his friends, fellow councillors and council colleagues.

“He was respected across the political spectrum and I offer my deepest sympathy to his family at this difficult time.”

Cllr Claudia Hector, his fellow councillor in Kensal Green said: “He was the most remarkable man and he will be sorely missed in every way. He was highly principled and kept going all the time, at it from morning to night seven days a week. In addition to a great number of skills, he also had an enormous sense of humour. It’s such a loss I don’t know hwat we are going to do. You don’t often come across people like that.”

Cllr Suresh Kansagra, conservative leader in Kenton worked with Cllr Filson on the scrutiny committee. He said: “He was a really hard working councillor, his contribution was excellent and he was a very diligent councillor.

“I send my condolences to his family and pray that his soul rests in peace.”

Cllr John Warren, conservative leader in Brondesbury Park, said: “He was a very bright, very clever political man for whom I had massive respect. He was a politician with a good brain.”

Tributes were paid on twitter from many who had known the councillor.

Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent Central, tweeted: “R.I.P Brent very special Cllr Dan Filson. A lover of fine wine. I will so miss your naughty sense of humour.”

Sadiq Khan, Labour candidate for London Mayor wrote: “Very sad to hear that Cllr Dan Filson has passed away. He was a real character and an utterly committed councillor and campaigner.”

Cllr Filson spent his career as a civil servant. He retired in 2010 after a career mainly in the Inland Revenue, and later Her Majesty’s Revenue and Collections (HMRC). He spent his final few years before retirement working in research across government departments.

He spent 20 years as a school governor at a number of schools and was a keen supporter of London Welsh Rugby Club and Surrey County Cricket Club.

The flags at the council headquarters in Engineers Way, Wembley, are flying at half-mast and a by-election will be organised in due course.