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Sky News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News
Former Scottish parliament presiding officer Sir George Reid dies aged 86
Former Scottish parliament presiding officer Sir George Reid has died at the age of 86, his family have announced. Sir George died in the early hours of Tuesday at Strathcarron Hospice near Denny, just a few miles from where he was born in Tullibody, Clackmannanshire. First Minister John Swinney paid tribute, saying: "I am desperately saddened by the loss of the remarkable George Reid. "His passion for Scotland, his principled internationalist world view, and his empathy for the plight of people everywhere made him a voice that could not be ignored across five decades." Sir George began his career as a journalist and was first elected as an SNP MP for Clackmannan and Eastern Stirlingshire in 1974, serving in the House of Commons before narrowly losing at the 1979 election. He then returned to journalism, becoming the producer who brought the world pictures of the Ethiopian famine in 1984 alongside presenter Michael Buerk, which sparked the Band Aid and Live Aid concerts. Later, he later took on a role with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. It was not until the opening of the Scottish parliament in 1999 that he returned to the political frontline as an MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region, and he then won the Ochil seat in 2003. He became the second presiding officer following the 2003 poll - after losing his bid to be the first in 1999 to Sir David Steel. Sir George oversaw the final stages of the then controversial new Holyrood building at the foot of the Royal Mile and the move from the parliament's initial home on the Mound. Mr Swinney added: "As an MP, he was a trailblazing member of the SNP's breakthrough victories of 1974. He became, for me, one of the compelling voices of the campaign for a Scottish parliament in 1979. "His was one of the voices that brought me into politics and kindled my belief in independence that has driven my adult life. I feel so privileged to have been shaped by his influence and inspiration." In late June, he was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer - having previously had successful surgery for bladder cancer more than a decade ago. His family said he was working until his final few weeks at Stirling University, where he was a professional teaching fellow and was well enough to drive home through the Clackmannanshire area where he was born and represented in two different legislatures. He is survived by Daphne, his wife of 57 years, daughter Morag and her husband, and five grandchildren. Flags at the Scottish parliament have been lowered as a mark of respect, current Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone announced. She said: "On behalf of all at the Scottish parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second presiding officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid. "He'll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young parliament. "A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. "By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new parliament in action. "The story of devolution and the early years of our parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Sir George Reid obituary: Respected SNP politician and journalist
Sir George Reid, who has died aged 86, enjoyed a long career in and out of politics, in which he managed to be one of the SNP's bright young things and elder between, he worked as a journalist and television presenter before moving into public affairs with the Red Cross, a job which took him around the world to disaster zones and international emergencies - an experience which influenced his later political being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 he served as its Presiding Officer between 2003 and 2007, a period in which he was widely credited with taking control of the Holyrood building set him up for a final act in public life where he became a visiting academic, an independent reviewer of public bodies, and the Queen's representative to the Church of Scotland.A member of a political party whose motivating factor is radical change of the British state, his intellect, talent for diplomacy and personal charm made him at once an establishment figure and a politician beloved of the national movement. George Reid was born in Tullibody in 1939 and educated at the private Dollar Academy. From there he read history at the University of St Andrews before further study in Switzerland and the US, an early example of the internationalism and interest in foreign affairs which would inform his political went into journalism in newspapers and entered broadcasting as the industry enjoyed its first flourish in Scotland, working for the BBC as well as Grampian and Scottish Television.A respected operator, he moved between news programmes and current affairs documentaries but was not content to be an observer of his nation's politics. In February 1974 he was elected to Westminster as the MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire, one of six new SNP was a crucial election for his party. It was a time of economic and political crisis towards the end of Ted Heath's Conservative government and the SNP built its campaign around the motto "It's Scotland's Oil". It paid off. The seven MPs elected went south to sit in opposition to Harold Wilson's new minority Labour government, which lasted just eight months before having to go to the country October 1974 result became a transformative moment in the SNP's history. Reid was re-elected, this time one of the "first eleven" MPs, the most they had ever elected. They were a small though voluble band of MPs and Reid used his time at Westminster to develop his links with politicians across Europe. He was also something of a media star, a smart and articulate performer who was valued by programme makers and his first half of his political career came to an end in the 1979 election which saw Margaret Thatcher come to power. That group of SNP MPs would forever be criticised for voting against the government in the confidence vote which triggered the election. The 1980s saw Reid returning to journalism, presenting political programmes for BBC Scotland. He worked on coverage of the famine in Africa, a job which later led to him joining the international aid organisation the Red in Geneva, he spent the next period travelling the world working on emergency relief projects. A public speech in 1995 was seen by many as return to Scottish politics, though his Donaldson Lecture drew deeply on his knowledge of European politics. He stood once again for his former constituency again in 1997 but was 1999, and approaching his 60th birthday, he was once again elected to parliament - this time in Edinburgh. He threw his hat in the ring to become the Scottish Parliament's first Presiding Officer, losing to Sir David he was made a Deputy Presiding Officer, holding the post through the parliament's difficult first few years. The biggest problem throughout that period was the Holyrood building project, which after a controversial selection process quickly spiralled out of control with a delivery date forever moving away into the distance and a budget which just kept on getting bigger and Reid took over from Steel in 2003, he made a huge effort to get on top of what had become a national embarrassment. He demanded regular reports and updated the parliament with the same regularity. He was filmed and photographed in hard hat and tabard walking the media through the building, explaining the issues and identifying he was the front of house man when it finally opened in 2004. His speech on that day struck a hopeful note, saying Scotland could now be more confident in the institution. He said it was now a country where "if we make mistakes they are our mistakes, and we can no longer blame anyone else". After leaving the parliament at the end of his term in 2007, he became a sought-after figure in politics outside was chosen to lead a review of the Northern Ireland Assembly. His report called for reform of the way Stormont was run, including greater autonomy for the assembly and its civil 2008 he became the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, making him the monarch's representative on the would go on to review the governance of the National Trust for Scotland, delivering a report which was used to radically reshape the body after years of criticism of its performance and his seventies he had certainly become that elder statesman figure and was knighted - an unusual thing for an SNP figure - in 2012. Ten years later he was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Thistle, the most senior order of chivalry in a period of ill health in 2013, he remained until recently a cogent commentator with a quick mind and wit. Popular with journalists and his fellow nationalists, he enjoyed a good public image and was still in demand in the media and on the political tribute to his late colleague Winnie Ewing in 2023, he addressed the SNP's Independence Convention in Dundee about the importance of politics as a vocation."Don't make excuses, make improvements," he said. "Do things with the people of Scotland, not to the people."Concentrate on those who are still to be convinced. Keep right on to the end of the road."Those words for his former colleague will probably do for him too.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Holyrood presiding officer Sir George Reid dies aged 86
Former Holyrood presiding officer Sir George Reid has died at the age of 86, his family have announced. He died in the early hours of Tuesday at Strathcarron Hospice near Denny, just a few miles from where he was born in Clackmannanshire. Sir George began his career as a journalist and was first elected as an SNP MP for Clackmannan and Eastern Stirlingshire in 1974, serving in the House of Commons before narrowly losing at the 1979 election. He then returned to journalism, becoming the producer who brought the world pictures of the Ethiopian famine in 1984 alongside presenter Michael Buerk, which sparked the Band Aid and Live Aid concerts. Sir George later took on a role with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. It was not until the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 that he returned to the political frontline as an MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region, and he then won the Ochil seat in 2003. He became the second presiding officer following the 2003 poll – after losing his bid to be the first in 1999 to Sir David Steel. Sir George oversaw the final stages of the then controversial new Holyrood building at the foot of the Royal Mile and the move from the Parliament's initial home on the Mound. In late June, Sir George was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer – having previously had successful surgery for bladder cancer more than a decade ago. His family said he was working until his final few weeks at Stirling University, where he was a professional teaching fellow and was well enough to drive home through the Clackmannanshire area where he was born and represented in two different legislatures. He is survived by Daphne, his wife of 57 years, daughter Morag and her husband, and five grandchildren. Flags at the Scottish Parliament he helped to complete have been lowered as a mark of respect, current Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone announced. First Minister John Swinney led tributes to Sir George, crediting him as being one of the voices that brought him into politics as a teenager. 'I am desperately saddened by the loss of the remarkable George Reid,' the First Minister said in a statement on Wednesday. 'His passion for Scotland, his principled internationalist world view, and his empathy for the plight of people everywhere made him a voice that could not be ignored across five decades. 'As an MP, he was a trailblazing member of the SNP's breakthrough victories of 1974. He became, for me, one of the compelling voices of the campaign for a Scottish Parliament in 1979. 'His was one of the voices that brought me into politics and kindled my belief in independence that has driven my adult life. I feel so privileged to have been shaped by his influence and inspiration. 'George was a founding member of the Scottish Parliament. More than that, after Holyrood's difficult early years, he put aside party and provided emphatic national leadership as the presiding officer, ending the controversies over the new building and cementing the institution's place in modern political life. 'Throughout it all, his articulation of the case for Scotland deciding her own future was as compelling to me when I sat with him in his home just four short weeks ago, as it was when I was a teenager.' Mr Swinney said Scotland, and the world, 'is richer for the life of George Reid and poorer for his passing'. He added: 'My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Dee, his family, his many friends and all whose lives were enhanced by knowing George Reid.' Ms Johnstone said: 'On behalf of all at the Scottish Parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second presiding officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid. 'He'll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young Parliament. 'A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. 'By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new Parliament in action. 'The story of devolution and the early years of our Parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude.' SNP depute leader Keith Brown – who won Sir George's seat after his decision to stand down in 2007 – said the former presiding officer's contribution to Scotland was 'profound'. He added: 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Scotland has lost a great public servant, and the SNP mourns the passing of one of our own with both sadness and gratitude. 'George Reid's life and legacy will endure in our Parliament, in our politics, and in the continuing journey toward the fairer, more just Scotland he worked tirelessly to build.'
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Former Holyrood presiding officer Sir George Reid dies aged 86
Former Holyrood presiding officer Sir George Reid has died at the age of 86, his family have announced. He died in the early hours of Tuesday at Strathcarron Hospice near Denny, just a few miles from where he was born in Clackmannanshire. Sir George began his career as a journalist and was first elected as an SNP MP for Clackmannan and Eastern Stirlingshire in 1974, serving in the House of Commons before narrowly losing at the 1979 election. He then returned to journalism, becoming the producer who brought the world pictures of the Ethiopian famine in 1984 alongside presenter Michael Buerk, which sparked the Band Aid and Live Aid concerts. Sir George later took on a role with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. It was not until the opening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 that he returned to the political frontline as an MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region, and he then won the Ochil seat in 2003. He became the second presiding officer following the 2003 poll – after losing his bid to be the first in 1999 to Sir David Steel. Sir George oversaw the final stages of the then controversial new Holyrood building at the foot of the Royal Mile and the move from the Parliament's initial home on the Mound. In late June, Sir George was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer – having previously had successful surgery for bladder cancer more than a decade ago. His family said he was working until his final few weeks at Stirling University, where he was a professional teaching fellow and was well enough to drive home through the Clackmannanshire area where he was born and represented in two different legislatures. He is survived by Daphne, his wife of 57 years, daughter Morag and her husband, and five grandchildren. Flags at the Scottish Parliament he helped to complete have been lowered as a mark of respect, current Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone announced. First Minister John Swinney led tributes to Sir George, crediting him as being one of the voices that brought him into politics as a teenager. 'I am desperately saddened by the loss of the remarkable George Reid,' the First Minister said in a statement on Wednesday. 'His passion for Scotland, his principled internationalist world view, and his empathy for the plight of people everywhere made him a voice that could not be ignored across five decades. 'As an MP, he was a trailblazing member of the SNP's breakthrough victories of 1974. He became, for me, one of the compelling voices of the campaign for a Scottish Parliament in 1979. 'His was one of the voices that brought me into politics and kindled my belief in independence that has driven my adult life. I feel so privileged to have been shaped by his influence and inspiration. 'George was a founding member of the Scottish Parliament. More than that, after Holyrood's difficult early years, he put aside party and provided emphatic national leadership as the presiding officer, ending the controversies over the new building and cementing the institution's place in modern political life. 'Throughout it all, his articulation of the case for Scotland deciding her own future was as compelling to me when I sat with him in his home just four short weeks ago, as it was when I was a teenager.' Mr Swinney said Scotland, and the world, 'is richer for the life of George Reid and poorer for his passing'. He added: 'My thoughts and deepest condolences are with Dee, his family, his many friends and all whose lives were enhanced by knowing George Reid.' Ms Johnstone said: 'On behalf of all at the Scottish Parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second presiding officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid. 'He'll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young Parliament. 'A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. 'By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new Parliament in action. 'The story of devolution and the early years of our Parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude.' SNP depute leader Keith Brown – who won Sir George's seat after his decision to stand down in 2007 – said the former presiding officer's contribution to Scotland was 'profound'. He added: 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Scotland has lost a great public servant, and the SNP mourns the passing of one of our own with both sadness and gratitude. 'George Reid's life and legacy will endure in our Parliament, in our politics, and in the continuing journey toward the fairer, more just Scotland he worked tirelessly to build.'
