NICOLA Sturgeon paid tribute to one of the “biggest influences” in her life, Kay Ullrich, today at Holyrood.
The First Minister spoke of Ullrich, who was one of the the first crop of MSPs ever elected, known as the “original class of 1999”, as a “lifelong and extremely passionate campaigner in the cause of Scottish independence”.
She added that Ullrich was, "for many of us, she was first and foremost, the dearest of friends, somebody we loved".
"We will all miss her hugely."
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon leads tributes to 'dear friend' former SNP MSP Kay Ullrich
Sturgeon recalled how Ullrich had been “literally the first person I met and campaigned for when I joined the SNP as a 16-year-old”, calling her one of “the biggest influences in my life”.
Sturgeon also sent her “loving condolences” to Ullrich’s husband, children, and grandchildren who “were the light of her life”.
The former MSP, who passed on January 4, 2021, was also hailed by Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard and Scottish Tory group leader Ruth Davidson, who said she was respected across the chamber.
Ullrich was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, representing the West Scotland region, before stepping down in 2003.
Serving on the SNP front bench during her stint in parliament, Ullrich is credited with bringing a young Sturgeon into the party.
She famously told activists that Sturgeon would be “the first female leader of the SNP one day”, after having met the now First Minister during her second campaign to become the MP for Cunninghame South.
In a 2014 interview with the Sunday Post, Ullrich recalled that first meeting and said: "You could tell she was one for the future."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel