TRIBUTES have been paid from across the political spectrum to the Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone, who has died from cancer aged 55.

The North East MSP had been a popular figure at the Scottish Parliament since being elected in its first wave of politicians in 1999.

He was diagnosed with cancer in October, but by then it was already inoperable.

His party’s transport spokesman, the father-of-two had withdrawn from parliamentary activity in recent weeks in the hope of spending a final Christmas with his family.

News of his death on Wednesday morning coincided with that of another Conservative stalwart, the former Eastwood MP Allan Stewart, who has died at the age of 74.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said Mr Johnstone “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.

“All our thoughts and prayers are now with Linda and their family.

“During his short illness, Alex was greatly touched by the many messages of goodwill he received from across the parliament.

“On behalf of the party, may I thank everybody who got in touch with Alex to pass on their thoughts. It meant a great deal to him."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was "so sorry" to hear the news.

She added: "Holyrood has lost one of its most well-known and well-liked parliamentarians, and he will be sorely missed.

“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.

“I would like to offer my condolences to Alex’s wife Linda, his family and his friends.”

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale 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.

“Alex was a politician respected across the chamber, and I hope his legacy is one of goodwill in our politics.” 

Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie said: “I’d like to offer my sincere condolences to Alex Johnstone’s family, friends and colleagues.

"I worked with Alex on a number of parliamentary committees and groups over the years, and while he and I were never short of issues to disagree about, he always had those disagreements in a spirit of respect, good humour and courtesy.

"Those are aspects of Alex’s presence in Parliament that I know I won’t be alone in missing.”

Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie added: “Alex looked like a big Tory bruiser but he was actually a kind and gentle man who I both admired and liked.

"For five years he sat in front of me as I asked the First Minister questions. He could have chosen to express he dissent every time I spoke but he chose not to embarrass me. Instead he would thump the desk in approval every week whether he agreed with me or not - and he did that for five years. That is the mark of the man. I will miss him."

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh said Mr Johnstone had been "a dedicated parliamentarian" and "intensely loyal" to his North East roots.

He said: "To lose a colleague at any age is sad indeed, but to lose one so young is deeply upsetting.

“His loss will be felt keenly at Holyrood and beyond.”

As Mr Johnstone was a list MSP there will be no byelection to replace him.

Instead the next person on the Conservatives’ North East regional list in May, chartered accountant Bill Bowman, will have the first refusal on his seat. 

Educated at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven, Mr Johnstone spent his entire life in the north east, building a successful career as a dairy and arable farmer before entering politics.

Married to Linda for 36 years, he had two children and six grandchildren​.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell led tributes to former Scottish Office minister Allan Stewart.

The former economy lecturer famously lost his ministerial post in 1995 after confronting anti-motorway in his constituency with a pick axe, resulting in a court fine of £200.

Labour’s Jim Murphy won the seat, the safest Tory constituency in Scotland, two years later.

Mr Mundell said: "I was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Allan Stewart. As someone who came to politics from academia, he brought real rigour to policy-making during his two spells as a minister at the Scottish Office, as it was at the time.” 

Eastwood MSP Jackson Carlaw added: "At the 1992 general election, Allan achieved the largest swing to the Conservatives by an incumbent MP anywhere in the UK, something of which he was immensely proud, before retiring undefeated in 1997. I certainly benefited from his advice on many occasions over the years and will miss him enormously.

"At his side throughout was Susie and we send our thoughts and all best wishes to her and to their children Jack and Rosa."