 | 'We're all in shock. Margaret has been a close colleague for many years and we will miss her advice, her company and especially her good humour.' Richard Lochhead MSP, 22 nd March 2006. |  |
| 'We're all in shock. Margaret has been a close colleague for many years and we will miss her advice, her company and especially her good humour.' Richard Lochhead MSP, 22 nd March 2006. | |
A North-east MSP is set to resign from the Scottish Parliament so he can fight the Moray by-election.
The seat is vacant following the death of Nationalist Margaret Ewing from cancer on Tuesday.
She had been due to stand down at the Holyrood elections next year and the SNP has selected list MSP Richard Lochhead as its candidate for 2007.
A by-election is due to be called by this May but parliamentary rules forbid Mr Lochhead from putting his name forward while he is a sitting MSP.
Mr Lochhead refused to discuss his intentions and paid tribute to Mrs Ewing.
He said: "We're all in shock. Margaret has been a close colleague for many years and we will miss her advice, her company and especially her good humour."
Party sources said it was highly likely Mr Lochhead would be chosen.
Ms Ewing built up her support in her Moray constituency and increased her majority in the 2003 Holyrood elections to 5,312.
Scottish party leaders paid tribute to her and a book of condolence was opened yesterday.
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