STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

THE Scottish Conservatives are mourning the death of two high profile politicians.

North East MSP, Alex Johnstone, died aged 55 after a short illness.

Tributes have also been paid to former Eastwood MP and Scottish Office minister, Allan Stewart, who died aged 74.

Mr Johnstone was a well respected politician at Holyrood.

Party leader Ruth Davidson led tributes to the MSP known for his forthright style and straight talking but also humour.

She 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.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said he would be missed by party colleagues and opponents alike.

She said: “Holyrood has lost one of its most well-known and well-liked parliamentarians.

“Alex was of course one of the Scottish Parliament’s original 1999 intake, and he quickly established himself as a champion of the North East. He was never afraid to stand up robustly for the causes he believed in but always did so with good humour and respect for his political opponents.”

Mr Johnstone was elected to the first devolved Scottish Parliament in 1999 and at every election since.

The farmer was the Tories’ chief whip and latterly served on the Welfare Reform Committee, often a lone voice as the sole Conservative on a committee otherwise hostile to the changes.

Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said Mr Johnstone was a “great character”. She said: “When our politics can feel divided, he was always quick to inject some much needed humour.”

Allan Stewart was MP for East Renfrewshire and Eastwood under Thatcher and Major.

He was elected in 1979 and stood down in 1997 before the Tories lost to Labour, losing the stronghold of Eastwood.

He served as a minister over two spells but resigned in 1995 following a confrontation with motorway protesters on the M77 completion involving a pick axe, for which he was fined.

Jackson Carlaw, East Renfrewshire MSP, said: “Allan served as a Scottish Officer Minister between 1981 and 1986 and 1990 and 1996.

“I certainly benefitted from his advice on many occasions over the years and will miss him enormously.”