Britain’s youngest councillor Clarissa Slade found dead aged 21
Father says family 'in the dark' over death
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Your support makes all the difference.Tributes have been paid to Britain’s youngest councillor, who has been found dead in her university accommodation.
Clarissa Slade was 18 when she was elected a Conservative councillor at Mid Devon District Council in 2015. Her body was discovered by her housemate on Monday.
Her father Colin Slade, who is also a Conservative councillor, said the family were “still pretty much in the dark” about the circumstances of her death.
He told The Daily Telegraph: “It is such a shock. She was due to come back to visit and the first thing we knew was when she was not on the train.”
Ms Slade was a student at the University of Winchester, having been offered a place to read Classical Studies in 2015.
She told the council at the time that she had “no intention” of resigning and that she “remained committed” to serving the people of her ward.
Mr Slade told the paper: “She had a bright future ahead, she was very keen on politics and she was a very bright young councillor, the youngest in the country when she was elected.
“She was looking to possibly pursue a career in politics.”
He added that they were waiting for information from the coroner regarding the cause of her death. Police are currently said to be treating it as unexplained.
After being elected in May 2015, Ms Slade said: “I would like to think that electors were impressed that someone of my age was willing to stand for council and were prepared to give me a chance to prove myself.
“I’m not concerned – I’m excited and intrigued to get started.”
Kevin Foster, Conservative MP for Torbay, paid tribute to Ms Slade in a post on Twitter.
He said: “Shocked and deeply saddened to read of Clarissa’s death at only 21. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.”
North Devon MP Peter Heaton-Jones tweeted: “My sincere condolences to Colin & Elizabeth.
“Colin was my agent & campaign manager in Devon prior to the 2015 election. I knew Clarissa well. She was hardworking and always so upbeat, and had a bright future. Such a sad day.”
Press Association contributed to this report
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