Tributes have been paid to the “stable voice” of former deputy leader of the Conservative Party Michael Ancram, who has died aged 79.
Mr Ancram, known formally as the 13th Marquess of Lothian, held the role under Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard for five years in the early 2000s.
He also served as shadow foreign secretary and had been a member of the House of Lords since 2010, in a political career spanning five decades.
He died in hospital surrounded by family in the early hours of Tuesday following a short illness, his family said in a statement.
New Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay posted on X: “I am sorry to hear of the passing of Michael Ancram who was a first-rate politician and a gentleman.
“The thoughts of all in the Scottish Conservatives are with his wife and family.”
Mr Duncan Smith said in his own X post: “I’m very saddened to hear the news my very good friend and political colleague Michael Ancram has died.
“He was a huge support to me when I was leader of the Conservative Party and a stable voice at times of difficult decision making.
“I will miss him enormously and my Party and country have lost a great public servant.”
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney said Mr Ancram was “a courteous and distinguished Parliamentarian” as he gave his condolences to his family.
Lord Donald Cameron, a former Scotland Office minister and former MSP, said his uncle had been “a huge support and inspiration”.
He said on the social media platform: “Some very sad news tonight.
“Michael was a man of great warmth, humour and generosity. As an uncle, he was a huge support and inspiration to me.
“We will all miss him very much. Eternal rest grant unto him.”
Jackson Carlaw, who briefly led the Scottish Tories in 2020, described Mr Ancram as “a politician of charm, principle and duty” who had “served our country with distinction”.
Mr Ancram was first elected as an MP for Berwickshire and East Lothian in 1974 but lost his seat in a snap election eight months later.
He returned to Parliament after defeating future Labour prime minister Gordon Brown for the Edinburgh South constituency five years later, before going on to serve as MP for Devizes from 1992 to 2010.
On retiring from the House of Commons, Mr Ancram joined the House of Lords in November 2010 by virtue of a life peerage, Baron Kerr of Monteviot.
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 here