New statue commemorates former London deputy mayor Sir Simon Milton

“He worked tirelessly for this great city and it is only right that his legacy is being remembered in the place which he dedicated his life to serving,” Mr Pickles said.

The statue was erected in Merchant Square in Paddington, west London, where Sir Simon was a driving force behind the redevelopement of the Paddington Basin area.

His civil partner, Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster city council, said he was “delighted that Simon’s work in Paddington will be celebrated and remembered”.

Sir Simon, who was a member of West London Synagogue and a former leader of Westminster council, died after losing his 20-year fight against leukaemia.

At the time, Mr Johnson described him as "a wonderful colleague and friend who will be much missed by everyone who was involved in public life in this city".

The life-sized statue was designed by artist Bruce Denny.