Lord Jim Wallace, Scotland’s first deputy first minister, has died at the age of 71.
He passed away on Thursday at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh after complications from a planned surgery.
His wife, Rosie Wallace, said the family was “very shocked” by his sudden death. She added: “He was still incredibly active… participating in the House of Lords and singing in the Dunblane Cathedral choir over the festive period. He was looking forward to spending more time with his grandchildren.”
Wallace had a long career in Scottish politics. He served 18 years as Liberal MP for Orkney and Shetland and became leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats in 1992.
In 1999, he won the Orkney seat in Scotland’s first Holyrood elections and became the country’s first deputy first minister in a coalition with Labour. He also served three times as acting first minister.
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He later became a life peer in the House of Lords, advocate general for Scotland, and moderator of the Church of Scotland.
Tributes have poured in. Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton called Wallace “one of the architects of modern Scotland.” First Minister John Swinney said he was “profoundly kind” and “a key figure in shaping the Scottish Parliament.”
Scottish Conservative leader Russel Findlay described him as “a true giant, and gentleman, of Scottish politics,” while MSP Liz Smith said he was “a very fine politician who cared deeply about his country.”
Flags at the Scottish Parliament will fly at half-mast until 20:00 on Friday in his honour.