Scottish authorities minister Christina McKelvie has died on the age of 57, her associate has mentioned.
The minister for medication and alcohol coverage had taken medical depart final August to bear therapy for secondary breast most cancers.
The SNP’s deputy chief mentioned: “Christina’s sons Lewis and Jack and I are heartbroken to announce the death of Christina at Glasgow Royal Infirmary this morning.”
Ms McKelvie had been an MSP since 2007. She represented the Central Scotland area as much as 2011 earlier than occurring to serve Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.
Picture:
Ms McKelvie in 2020. Pic: PA
Mr Brown mentioned: “She loved her job, and she loved her party and was always a champion for the people of Scotland and an advocate for social justice and for Scotland to be an independent nation in Europe.
“To us, she was our beloved mum, associate and gran to Maeve and Leo.
“She was always hard working and enthusiastic and lit up every room she was in with her positivity and bright smile.
“She was at all times pleased with her working class roots in Easterhouse and infrequently mentioned she couldn’t have dreamt of turning into a authorities minister for the Scottish authorities.”
Ms McKelvie was minister for equalities from 2008 to 2023. She then served as minister for tradition, Europe and worldwide improvement, earlier than turning into minister for medication and alcohol coverage in February 2024.
In addition to being a long-standing member of the SNP, she was additionally a commerce unionist with Unison throughout her time working in social work companies in Glasgow.
Mr Brown mentioned: “We are immensely proud of all Christina achieved.
“She was captivated with many points, together with advocating for folks dwelling with MND and sponsoring the primary Put on It Pink on the Scottish parliament in help of Breast Most cancers Now a few years earlier than her personal analysis with breast most cancers, after which she used each alternative to encourage girls to examine themselves and go to screening appointments.”
He added: “At this time, we have now misplaced our much-loved Christina and know she will probably be very a lot missed by all our household and likewise her many, many mates, workers and constituents.”
First Minister John Swinney mentioned he was “devastated” over Ms McKelvie’s demise, as he described her as “one of the kindest and most generous people” he had ever met.
Mr Swinney added: “In all the years since I first met Christina, I have been so grateful to call her my friend and colleague and to benefit from her warmth and loyalty.
“Christina was fiercely pleased with her Easterhouse roots, and she or he usually spoke of how injustices her household skilled in her childhood had impressed her to hitch the commerce union motion and enter elected politics.”
The primary minister mentioned Ms McKelvie was a “fierce champion” for equality, social justice, Scottish independence “and for a better world”.
He added: “But for all her many political achievements, Christina was first and foremost deeply committed to her family. Everyone could see the joy that she and her partner Keith brought to each other’s lives, and she spoke so often over the years of her pride for her sons, and more recently her immense joy at becoming a granny.
“In recent times, when Christina returned to parliament after therapy for breast most cancers, she was decided to assist these round her – utilizing her platform to encourage girls to examine themselves and go to screening appointments.
“The Scottish National Party has lost one of its finest, and I have lost an outstanding minister in my government.
“I do know her loss will probably be felt proper throughout the parliament and among the many numerous constituents she supported through the years.
“Christina was such a big-hearted woman, with compassion and social justice at her core. Her political allies and opponents would agree – she truly was a force of nature.”
Alison Johnstone, presiding officer of the Scottish parliament, mentioned the flags at Holyrood could be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.
A e-book of condolence can even be opened.
Ms Johnstone mentioned she was “deeply saddened” by Ms McKelvie’s demise, including: “We will of course honour Christina fully in parliament in the days to come.”
