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Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone dies aged 55 | Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone dies aged 55 |
(35 minutes later) | |
Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone has died aged 55. | Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone has died aged 55. |
Tributes have been paid to the North East MSP, who had served at the Scottish Parliament since 1999. | Tributes have been paid to the North East MSP, who had served at the Scottish Parliament since 1999. |
The Kincardineshire-born former dairy farmer passed away shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. | The Kincardineshire-born former dairy farmer passed away shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. |
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said Mr Johnstone was "a big man with a big heart" who "embodied politics at its best". | Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said Mr Johnstone was "a big man with a big heart" who "embodied politics at its best". |
He was the longest-serving Scottish Conservative MSP at Holyrood, and the only one to have served continuously from the beginning of the parliament. | He was the longest-serving Scottish Conservative MSP at Holyrood, and the only one to have served continuously from the beginning of the parliament. |
Hailing from Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, Mr Johnstone worked as a farmer before being elected to Holyrood in 1999. | Hailing from Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire, Mr Johnstone worked as a farmer before being elected to Holyrood in 1999. |
'Enormous loss' | 'Enormous loss' |
He served as his party's chief whip, as well as acting as spokesman for portfolios including housing, transport and rural affairs. | He served as his party's chief whip, as well as acting as spokesman for portfolios including housing, transport and rural affairs. |
In the most recent session of parliament, Mr Johnstone was deputy convener of the finance committee and a member of the parliament's corporate body. | In the most recent session of parliament, Mr Johnstone was deputy convener of the finance committee and a member of the parliament's corporate body. |
Mr Johnstone is survived by his wife Linda and their two children. | Mr Johnstone is survived by his wife Linda and their two children. |
Ms Davidson said: "Alex's passing is an enormous loss for the Scottish Conservative party, for the Scottish Parliament, and for Scottish public life generally. | Ms Davidson said: "Alex's passing is an enormous loss for the Scottish Conservative party, for the Scottish Parliament, and for Scottish public life generally. |
"He was a big man with a big heart. He embodied politics at its best: trenchant in his views, always up for a political fight, but respected and admired by all sides of the political divide for his decency and generosity. | "He was a big man with a big heart. He embodied politics at its best: trenchant in his views, always up for a political fight, but respected and admired by all sides of the political divide for his decency and generosity. |
"Alex was this huge big healthy farmer who looked like he could wrestle a cow every day until sundown, and to be hit so hard and decline so fast, at the age of 55 it's a bit of a shock. | |
"The north east of Scotland could not have had a greater friend over the 17 years he served as their MSP. He was utterly devoted to championing the area. | "The north east of Scotland could not have had a greater friend over the 17 years he served as their MSP. He was utterly devoted to championing the area. |
"All our thoughts and prayers are now with Linda and their family." | "All our thoughts and prayers are now with Linda and their family." |
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was "so sorry" to hear the news. | First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was "so sorry" to hear the news. |
She added: "Alex never let political differences stand in the way of friendship and courtesy. | She added: "Alex never let political differences stand in the way of friendship and courtesy. |
"Alex was an asset to his party and to the Scottish Parliament. He will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with his family and friends." | "Alex was an asset to his party and to the Scottish Parliament. He will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with his family and friends." |