Scottish editor Angus MacLeod dies aged 63

TRIBUTES were last night paid to the Scottish editor of The Times Angus Macleod, following the announcement of his death.

Mr Macleod was formally appointed editor of the Scottish edition of The Times in 2013 having previously been its political editor. Picture: Contributed

Mr Macleod was formally appointed editor of the Scottish edition of The Times in 2013 having previously been its political editor, and was also a regular contributor to BBC radio and television.

Among the tributes paid by his fellow journalists online, he was described as “a journalist of integrity, intelligence, clarity, generosity, enthusiasm” and “a wise and noble man who interrogated robustly the politics of our time”.

From the world of politics, Labour MPs Douglas Alexander and Anas Sarwar both expressed their sadness at his passing.

Mr Alexander tweeted: “Very sorry indeed to hear of passing of Angus Macleod. First met him in Perth in 1995 and have admired his journalism & integrity ever since,” while Mr Sarwar wrote: “Sad to hear of death of The Times Scottish editor Angus Macleod. In my short time in politics I benefited from his telling off and his kindness.”

The campaign director of Better Together, Blair McDougall, also tweeted: “Really sad news about Angus Macleod. A great big personality gone from Scottish life. Thoughts with his loved ones.”

Though he had been ill for some time, Mr Macleod had continued as editor until very recently, defending the paper in July over the publishing of comments by the Jamaican sprinting star Usain Bolt disparaging the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.