 | 'Tribute was yesterday paid to Mrs Ewing at the parliament's European committee, on which she had served. Convener Linda Fabiani said members would wish to put on record their appreciation for her contributions to the committee and 'to pass on our sadness and our best wishes for the future to her family'.' By Paul Gallagher in the Press & Journal, 29 th March 2006. |  |
Speculation that SNP MSP Richard Lochhead has quit parliament to stand in the Moray by-election was dismissed as premature yesterday.
Reports had suggested that North-East Scotland member Mr Lochhead had already stepped down as a list member to stand for the party in the upcoming election following the death last week of nationalist MSP Margaret Ewing.
Scottish Parliamentary rules forbid sitting list MSPs to stand for a constituency seat in a by-election.
Any member wishing to do so must first resign, as Conservative member Mary Scanlon has already done.
Ms Scanlon has been confirmed as the Tories' candidate for Moray but it is understood that, while Mr Lochhead will place himself in the hands of the party, the formal selection will not take place until later this week.
Mr Lochhead had already been selected as the SNP's candidate for Moray in next year's Scottish Parliamentary election, as Mrs Ewing had previously announced her intention to retire from the position after holding the seat at Holyrood and Westminster since 1987.
No date has yet been set for the by-election.
Tribute was yesterday paid to Mrs Ewing at the parliament's European committee, on which she had served.
Convener Linda Fabiani said members would wish to put on record their appreciation for her contributions to the committee and "to pass on our sadness and our best wishes for the future to her family".
Return to home page