Tributes as former Scotsman editor Alan Ruddock dies at 49

Published on Monday 31 May 2010 02:34

TRIBUTES were paid last night following the sudden death of former Scotsman editor Alan Ruddock.

Mr Ruddock, 49, was in charge of the newspaper between 1998 and 2000, a period which saw the creation of the Scottish Parliament in a devolved Scotland.

He worked closely with leading politicians at the time to ensure his newspaper recorded accurately the historic events.

A keen sportsman, Mr Ruddock, who had previously overcome Hodgkin's disease, was taken ill while playing cricket in Ireland at the weekend.

A native of Dublin, he returned to the Republic after leaving The Scotsman and continued to work as a journalist, writing for the Irish Independent.

Last night John McLellan, the current editor of The Scotsman said: "Alan Ruddock was a fine editor of The Scotsman, an instinctive journalist with a keen eye for political and business stories.

"He steered the paper at a crucial time for Scotland and his sharp brain combined with his Irish background meant he had a natural feel for the issues facing the country.

"He was a charming, fun and extremely helpful colleague. All our thoughts are with his family."

Mr Ruddock was also praised as one of the "mainstays" of the Irish Independent.

"Alan Ruddock was a superb journalist with a capacious mind," Sunday Independent editor Aengus Fanning said. "But, above all, he was a great friend and a wonderful family man."

Mr Ruddock leaves behind his wife Jackie and his teenage sons Matthew, Daniel and Cameron.