Lord James Douglas-Hamilton dead: Ex-Tory MP and Scottish Office minister dies aged 81 – as politicians pay tribute
TORY MP Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has died at 81.
The conservative giant served in the Scottish Office under Margaret Thatcher and John Major before becoming an MSP in 1999.
Between 1997 and 2023 he was a member of the House of Lords as a life peer.
In 1994, he was briefly Earl of Selkirk, but disclaimed the peerageso he could stay in the House of Commons
He was also a former page of honour to the Queen.
It meant he twice carried the long train of the Queen’s robes as a child and was part of the coronation procession in 1953.
His death was announced by the Lord Speaker yesterday.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “He was a true gentleman whose popularity crossed all political divides.”
Liberal Democrat Christine Jardine, the current MP for Edinburgh West, added: “I met him often in my career and he was always such a gentleman, with a kind word and genuine concern for those he served.
Meanwhile Former Deputy First Minister, John Swinney said: “He was MP for Edinburgh West as I grew up and he always asked after my parents when we got to know each other later in life.”