BBC / PH Tributes have poured in for Scots Tory politician Alex Johnstone

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Colleagues and political opponents hailed the North East MSP, who was remembered for his "decency and generosity". Mr Johnstone died following a short battle with cancer. He was the longest-serving Scottish Conservative MSP at Holyrood, and the only one to have served continuously from the beginning of the parliament.

Born in Kincardineshire and educated at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, the grandfather-of-six was a farmer before entering politics. Elected in 1999, he went to serve as the party's chief whip, as well as acting as spokesman on housing, transport and rural affairs. In the last session of the Scottish Parliament he represented the Conservatives on the welfare reform committee.

PH Mr Johnstone died following a short battle with cancer

When our politics can feel divided, he was always quick to inject some much needed humour Kezia Dugdae

Tory leader Ruth Davidson said Mr Johnstone was "a big man with a big heart" who "embodied politics at its best". She said: "Alex's passing is an enormous loss for the Scottish Conservative party, for the Scottish Parliament and for Scottish public life generally. "He was a big man with a big heart. He embodied politics at its best: trenchant in his views, always up for a political fight, but respected and admired by all sides of the political divide for his decency and generosity.

"The north-east of Scotland could not have had a greater friend over the 17 years he served as their MSP. "He was utterly devoted to championing the area." First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described him as a "champion of the north-east" adding: "Holyrood has lost one of its most well-known and well-liked parliamentarians, and he will be sorely missed.

WIKIPEDIA He was the longest-serving Scottish Conservative MSP at Holyrood

"He was never afraid to stand up robustly for the causes he believed in - but always did so with good humour and respect for his political opponents." Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdae said: “Alex had a reputation around the Scottish Parliament as a great character. "When our politics can feel divided, he was always quick to inject some much needed humour."

BBC Born in Kincardineshire and educated at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven