TORY MP Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has died at 81.
The conservative giant served in the Scottish Office under Margaret Thatcher and John Major before becoming an MSP in 1999.
Avalon.redConservative MP Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has died[/caption]
Between 1997 and 2023 he was a member of the House of Lords as a life peer.
In 1994, he was briefly Earl of Selkirk, but disclaimed the peerageso he could stay in the House of Commons
He was also a former page of honour to the Queen.
It meant he twice carried the long train of the Queen’s robes as a child and was part of the coronation procession in 1953.
His death was announced by the Lord Speaker yesterday.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “He was a true gentleman whose popularity crossed all political divides.”
Liberal Democrat Christine Jardine, the current MP for Edinburgh West, added: “I met him often in my career and he was always such a gentleman, with a kind word and genuine concern for those he served.
Meanwhile Former Deputy First Minister, John Swinney said: “He was MP for Edinburgh West as I grew up and he always asked after my parents when we got to know each other later in life.”
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