The former leader of Sutton Council is to be given the Freedom of the Borough.

Lord Graham Tope will be awarded the council's highest honour to recognise over 40 years of service to local, regional, national, and EU government.

The decision was made at a council meeting on Monday, July 21.

Lord Tope entered politics in 1972 when he became the Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam aged 29.

The landmark by-election victory saw him become the youngest MP at the time.

Two years later he was elected to Sutton Council, and led the Liberal Democrat group for 25 years from 1974 to 1999.

Lord Tope was council leader for 13 years from 1986 to 1999.

He has also served as Liberal Democrat leader on the Assocation of London Government, where he represented the party in all 32 London Boroughs and the City of London.

Sutton Council Leader Ruth Dombey said: "Awarding Lord Tope the highest honour the borough can give is in recognition of his contribution to public life over more than 40 years, and a commitment to our community that continues even now. 

"He has successfully served in local, London, national and European politics which is a remarkable achievement." 

Lord Tope was awarded a CBE in 1991 and became a life peer in 1994. 

In the House of Lords he is the Liberal Democrat party’s spokesperson for Communities & Local Government, and was the party’s spokesman on education from 1994 to 1999. 

Freeman of the Borough is a civic ceremonial role with no legal rights or responsibilities. 

He will receive a commemorative scroll at a ceremony later in the year.