Tributes have been paid to jailed PR guru Max Clifford’s brother Bernard who has died.

Bernard Clifford is fondly remembered as a dedicated mayor of Merton and served on Merton Council as a Labour councillor for the Ravensbury ward in Mitcham and Morden.

According to Wikipedia, Bernard used his connections in the print union to get his younger brother Max a job as an editorial assistant on the Eagle comic.

Wimbledon Times:

Bernard Clifford. 

The website said when the publication moved premises, Hersham-based Max took redundancy and bought his first house before starting work at the South London Press as a journalist.

Bernard, who was thought to be in his seventies, was on the council from 1968 to 1986 and served on a number of committees over the years including education, finance, parks, cemeteries and allotments and further education.

He was the chairperson of the education committee from 1971 to 1974 and served as the deputy chairperson on the London borough of Merton Sports Council from 1985 to 1986 before he retired as a councillor in 1986.

Councillor Martin Whelton met Bernard on a number of occasions.

Coun Whelton said: "He was very committed and dedicated to the Labour party and gave a great deal of commitment to the borough."

Coun Whelton said when Bernard was mayor for the term 1974 to 1975 he lost his full-time job at a currency manufacturers in Raynes Park because he took too much time off to complete his mayoral duties.

He added: "He will be sorely missed and it is very sad news."

Former colleague Councillor David Williams said Bernard, of the Coombe Hill area of Kingston, leaves behind two daughters.

Coun Williams said: "He sacrificed some family life with a young family to fulfil his civic role.

"He was admired for the service he gave to the borough and I am personally very sad to hear of the news."

Coun Williams said Bernard worked in the accounts department of currency manufacturers Bradbury Wilkinson and Company which used to be on the site of the New Malden Tesco.

The company was an engraver and printer of banknotes, postage stamps and share certificates.

Coun Williams said he lost his job there because the small company could not afford to keep him on and he later moved into the print union industry.

Bernard Clifford died on Wednesday, August 6.

His funeral will take place next Monday, August 18 at 2.40pm, at the North East Surrey Crematorium in Lower Morden Lane.

As this will be a celebration of his life, the family have requested that people do not wear black and do not send flowers.

Max Clifford is currently serving an eight year jail sentence after being found guilty of a series of indecent assaults at Southwark Crown Court in May this year.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said a serving prisoner can make an application to leave prison for a funeral, which will be risk assessed by officials. 

The spokesman said they cannot comment on individual cases but if the person was deemed suitable to leave they would be escorted by prison officers for the day.