Federation recognises support from Viscount
21 August 2021
National Federation chair John Apter has paid tribute to The Viscount Simon for his long-standing support for Federated officers and roads policing.
Jan David Simon, whose death was announced earlier this week, was deputy chair of committees and deputy speaker in the House of Lords.
A hereditary peer and Labour supporter, Viscount Simon (81) was also vice-chair of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety and had been involved with the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) roads policing user group for well over a decade.
John said: “Viscount Simon was a long-time supporter of PFEW and roads policing. On many occasions he assisted PFEW by supporting Parliamentary changes to legislation by resolutely and knowledgeably speaking up for members in the House of Lords.
“I first worked with him many years ago on the PFEW roads policing user group. He continued to work on PFEW members’ behalf until his sad passing, and he was extremely passionate about supporting PFEW members, as well as victims and their families.
“He was also a good friend to me personally, and hearing about his death was an extremely sad day for all of us at PFEW. Our thoughts at this time are with his family and friends.”
Tim Rogers, deputy secretary of West Midlands Police Federation and national Federation lead on police pursuits and driver training, has also spoken of the support Viscount Simon gave to the campaign he has been leading to secure a change to legislation to better protect police drivers.
“Viscount Simon was a great supporter of the roads policing portfolio having set up many events for the Federation in the House of Lords. He was instrumental in allowing our campaigns to gain traction over the years. He was my main sponsor for the Lords sending the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill back with the amendment for MPs to vote on. I only spoke with him on Friday last week so this is a real blow,” said Tim.
Viscount Simon was also a trustee of the Guild of Experienced Motorists, a trustee of Safety House, president of the Driving Instructors’ Association, and had supported the Road Victims Trust since its formation in Hertfordshire, where he lived, in 2010.
