Lord Jim Wallace, Scotland's first deputy first minister and a key architect of devolution, has died at the age of 71 following complications from a planned major operation at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on Thursday. Political leaders across Scotland have paid tribute to the Liberal Democrat peer, describing him as a pillar of the Scottish Parliament whose lifelong public service shaped modern Scotland.
Wallace served as deputy first minister to three first ministers and acted as Scotland's first minister on three separate occasions. Throughout his career, he held numerous key positions including advocate general for Scotland, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. He represented Orkney and Shetland as an MP and later served as MSP for Orkney.
Tributes from across the political spectrum
Baroness Catherine Smith, the current Advocate General, praised Wallace's vital role in securing the devolution settlement. She said: «His is a story of lifelong public service, undertaken with dedication, decency and compassion, for which we should all be grateful.» Smith added: «He played a vital part, through many roles, in delivering and securing the devolution settlement.»
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton hailed Wallace as «one of the architects of modern Scotland and one of the finest liberals our party has ever produced.»
First Minister John Swinney expressed being «profoundly shocked» by the news. He said: «As the first ever deputy first minister of Scotland, Lord Wallace was a hugely important figure in shaping Scotland's modern political national life. His contribution to our country is demonstrated by the success and strength of the Scottish Parliament.»
A legacy of service
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander highlighted Wallace's character and impact. «Jim was the kind of politician that gives politics a good name,» Alexander said. «Decent, thoughtful and dutiful, he embodied much that is best in our national life.» He added: «As Scotland's first deputy first minister, he helped shape the very foundations of our devolved Parliament. His leadership during those early years set the tone for the institution we know today.»
Holyrood Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone described being «so very sad to hear the news of Jim Wallace's passing.» She said: «A pillar of the Scottish Parliament and a truly honourable man. I will miss him.»
In December, Wallace delivered a lecture at Dover House, the Scotland Office's London headquarters, sharing insights on the Scottish and UK parliaments and the journey of devolution in Scotland.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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