While working in Brussels, Seal secured grants from the European Economic Community’s regional fund to help with the £2.4m cost of converting the interior of Wardley Centre in Bradford, which later became the National Science and Media Museum and first IMAX cinema to be installed in the UK.
Born in Halifax, he went to Heath Grammar School before studying for a PhD at University of Bradford and attending the European Business School in France.
He served on Bradford Council for eight years from 1971 where he was also leader of the Labour Group.
After losing his seat in the European Parliament to Edward McMillan-Scott in 1999, he became a keen advocate for the NHS.