First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Ian Bell's death was 'devastating' as she paid tribute to the award-winning journalist on Twitter.
The award-winning Herald and Sunday Herald columnist, died yesterday aged 59.
He is survived by his wife Mandy and son Sean.
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Ms Sturgeon tweeted of her shock at the news of his death this morning.
This is devastating news. Ian Bell was one of Scotland's finest writers and a man of deep intellect and principle. https://t.co/jJUcO9jeH0
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) December 11, 2015
We have lost Willie McIlvanney and Ian Bell in just one week. Too much.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) December 11, 2015
Bell, who supported the Yes campaign during the Scottish independence referendum, began his career as a sub-editor before his move into political journalism. He later wrote as a columnist and leader writer.
In 1997, he won the Orwell Prize for political journalism and he was named Columnist of the Year on several occasions.
Tributes have been pouring in for Bell on Twitter.
Sad to hear of the untimely death of the incisively intelligent and hugely talented journalist Ian Bell
— Mike MacKenzie MSP (@MMacKenzieMSP) December 11, 2015
Oh no.... One of the finest of Scotland's writers. https://t.co/jTcJ7U6XCI pic.twitter.com/2SZrzyaRzY
— Andy Wightman (@andywightman) December 11, 2015
Can't believe Ian Bell gone - superb column on Hilary Benn speech just last weekend. Goodbye, Ian, greatest writer in Scottish journalism.
— joycemcmillan (@joycemcm) December 11, 2015
Terribly sad news about Ian Bell. An inspiring writer who made such a powerful contribution to our lives.
— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) December 11, 2015
Terribly sad news at the passing of Ian Bell, a wonderful writer, thoughts with Ian's family, friends colleagues RIP
— Joe (@onekinghenrik) December 11, 2015
What absolutely terrible news about Ian Bell. He was such a nice man. Dreadfully sad.
— Mhairi Hunter (@MhairiHunter) December 11, 2015
What absolutely terrible news about Ian Bell. He was such a nice man. Dreadfully sad.
— Mhairi Hunter (@MhairiHunter) December 11, 2015
Shocked & saddened to hear of the death of Ian Bell, a giant in Scottish journalism - socialist, republican & Hibee. https://t.co/w6ns5LV8My
— Stuart Cosgrove (@Detroit67Book) December 11, 2015
The Scottish Columnist of the Year was affectionately known as the Ian Bell Prize, he won it that often....
— hardeep singh kohli (@misterhsk) December 11, 2015
Really shocked to learn about the passing of Ian Bell. A great writer, always with something meaningful to say. Very sad news indeed.
— Jamie Hepburn (@jamiehepburn) December 11, 2015
Shocked to hear of Ian Bell’s death. He will be very greatly missed. Scottish journalism is the poorer for his going.
— Roseanna Cunningham (@strathearnrose) December 11, 2015
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