Former Scottish parliament presiding officer Sir George Reid has died on the age of 86, his household have introduced.
Sir George died within the early hours of Tuesday at Strathcarron Hospice close to Denny, just some miles from the place he was born in Tullibody, Clackmannanshire.
First Minister John Swinney paid tribute, saying: “I am desperately saddened by the loss of the remarkable George Reid.
“His ardour for Scotland, his principled internationalist world view, and his empathy for the plight of individuals all over the place made him a voice that might not be ignored throughout 5 a long time.”
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Sir George oversaw the completion of the brand new Scottish parliament constructing. Pic: Harry Benson/Scottish parliament
Sir George started his profession as a journalist and was first elected as an SNP MP for Clackmannan and Japanese Stirlingshire in 1974, serving within the Home of Commons earlier than narrowly shedding on the 1979 election.
He then returned to journalism, changing into the producer who introduced the world footage of the Ethiopian famine in 1984 alongside presenter Michael Buerk, which sparked the Band Help and Stay Help concert events.
Later, he later took on a task with the Worldwide Pink Cross and Pink Crescent.
It was not till the opening of the Scottish parliament in 1999 that he returned to the political frontline as an MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife area, and he then gained the Ochil seat in 2003.
He turned the second presiding officer following the 2003 ballot – after shedding his bid to be the primary in 1999 to Sir David Metal.
Sir George oversaw the ultimate phases of the then controversial new Holyrood constructing on the foot of the Royal Mile and the transfer from the parliament’s preliminary house on the Mound.
Mr Swinney added: “As an MP, he was a trailblazing member of the SNP’s breakthrough victories of 1974. He became, for me, one of the compelling voices of the campaign for a Scottish parliament in 1979.
“His was one of many voices that introduced me into politics and kindled my perception in independence that has pushed my grownup life. I really feel so privileged to have been formed by his affect and inspiration.”
In late June, he was identified with metastatic kidney most cancers – having beforehand had profitable surgical procedure for bladder most cancers greater than a decade in the past.
His household stated he was working till his closing few weeks at Stirling College, the place he was an expert educating fellow and was nicely sufficient to drive house by means of the Clackmannanshire space the place he was born and represented in two totally different legislatures.
He’s survived by Daphne, his spouse of 57 years, daughter Morag and her husband, and 5 grandchildren.
Flags on the Scottish parliament have been lowered as a mark of respect, present Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone introduced.
She stated: “On behalf of all at the Scottish parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second presiding officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid.
“He’ll be remembered not just for bringing the Holyrood building challenge to completion, however for constructing confidence and ambition in our younger parliament.
“A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded.
“By the point he left workplace, Holyrood was established on the centre of public life in Scotland and over one million individuals had visited to see for themselves the brand new parliament in motion.
“The story of devolution and the early years of our parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude.”
