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Former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament has died

Sir Alex Fergusson Credit: PA

The former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, Sir Alex Fergusson has died at the age of 69.

The Conservative MSP was first elected as a South of Scotland MSP in 1999 and represented the constituency of Galloway and West Dumfries until 2016.

Born in Wigtownshire, his background was in farming. He said he entered politics to give the South of Scotland a stronger voice.

Throughout his career he didn't shy away from controversy. He was a vocal critic of the move to make Scotland the first part of the UK to ban hunting with dogs in 2002.

In 2007, political allegiances had to be put aside when he was picked to be Holyrood's third Presiding Officer, a role he was initially reluctant to take on.

Sir Alex stood down from Holyrood in 2016 and he was honoured with a knighthood for his services to politics and public life.

Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, has paid tribute.

Alex Fergusson was a proper gentleman. His decency, compassion and wisdom earned him friends across all parties. His passing will be mourned by all who knew him.

He was a passionate and influential advocate for his beloved south of Scotland. Even after he left the Scottish Parliament, he was continuing to campaign for issues close to his heart such as creating a new national park in the Galloway forest.

A man of many talents, I will remember his wonderful singing voice, a love of Burns, and the richness he brought to parliament from his life outside politics, as a farmer and champion of rural Scotland.

– Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Ruth Davidson