Prime Minister leads tributes to 'a true servant of the people'

GORDON Brown yesterday led tributes to John MacDougall yesterday, saying he had lost a "good personal friend" who was "a true servant of the people".

The Prime Minister said: "John MacDougall gave more than 30 years of distinguished public service to Fife – as a councillor, leader of Fife Council, convener of Fife Council and then MP for Central Fife. He will be remembered as a true servant of the people."

Mr Brown represents the neighbouring constituency of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, and he visited Mr MacDougall earlier this week in hospital.

He said of Mr MacDougall: "A very popular, diligent local MP, he served Fife with great distinction in all the roles he played.

"In Fife he pioneered free travel for the elderly, led Scotland and Britain with nursery education for three- and four-year-olds; was successful in pressing for new jobs and investment to replace thousands of jobs lost in mining and at Rosyth naval base; and was well known for his support for all local causes.

"Over three decades, he has been a good personal friend of mine.

"Our heartfelt condolences go to his widow, Cathy, to his son and daughter, Scott and Julie, and to his mother and sister."

Des Browne, the Scottish Secretary, added: "I was very sad to hear of the death of John MacDougall, and my thoughts are with his wife and children at this difficult time.

"John was an excellent MP and will be sadly missed by colleagues of all parties.

"He was a doughty fighter for the people of Fife over many years, as a trade unionist, long-standing councillor and dedicated member of parliament."

Angus Robertson, the SNP's group leader at Westminster, said: "I am saddened that John has lost his long and brave fight against illness, and our condolences go to his wife and family at this very difficult time."

He added: "We may have been on opposite sides in the Commons, but John carried the respect of people right across the chamber, and was passionate for the issues he believed in and the welfare of his constituents, which he cared about deeply.

"He will be much missed."

David Mundell, the Conservatives' shadow Scottish secretary, said: "John was a kind and decent man.

"I have greatly admired the way in which he has borne such a debilitating illness with enormous courage.

"My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."