Tributes paid to former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament
The former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, Sir Alex Fergusson, died at home on Tuesday 31 July following a short illness.
The 69-year-old Conservative MSP was first elected as a South of Scotland MSP in 1999 and represented the constituency of Galloway and West Dumfries until 2016.
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.
Flags at the Scottish Parliament were lowered to half mast as a mark of respect.
His friends and colleagues have paid tribute.
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