MSPs pay tribute to 'our beautiful friend' Christina

MSPS wept in the Scottish Parliament chamber yesterday as tributes were paid to Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie following her death aged 57.

- By Craig Paton

Ms McKelvie took medical leave from her role as the alcohol and drugs policy minister last year to seek treatment for secondary breast cancer.

Keith Brown SNP depute leader and Ms McKelvie's long-time partner announced her death in a statement yesterday morning.

In response, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone ordered the flags outside the Scottish Parliament to fly at half-mast, as well as urging all MSPs to be in the Holyrood chamber before First Minister's Questions to pay tribute, and announcing plans for a book of condolence to be opened.

First Minister John Swinney, clearly emotional, then told MSPs: "Today is an unbearably sad day as we come to terms with the loss of our generous, kind, loyal and fun-loving colleague Christina McKelvie.