PARTY leaders paid tribute to ‘ever smiling grumpy old sod’ Rodney Rose and observed a minute’s silence in the county council chamber yesterday.

The former deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council died earlier this month after a battle with bladder cancer.

Long-time friend and council leader, Ian Hudspeth, led the tributes to the man he called ‘Oxfordshire through and through’.

He said: “For most of us he was the ever smiling, joking guy, who helped us get through some difficult and tense times.

“To others he could be a grumpy old sod who only used a few words, which in fact was one of his great strengths – you know where you stood.”

He added that projects such as East West Rail and the Oxford Flood Relief Channel would have ‘drifted away’ without Mr Rose’s determination and involvement.

But said his career highlight was defending the county’s fire service and standing against the county council on plans to join a regional fire control centre.

He said: “Rodney, you will be missed but never forgotten, thank you.

Labour group leader Liz Brighouse said: “He really did see the bright side of life and was always bringing laughter.

“He was just an amazing, amazing guy – you just don’t meet guys like Rodney very often in life.”

Liberal Democrat leader Richard Webber said he had fond memories of Mr Rose and still owed him a drink.