Holyrood tribute to Scotland's first First Minister, Donald Dewar

Oct 14 2010 By Lauren Crooks

Donald Dewar

GLASGOW MSP Bill Butler lodged a parliamentary motion paying tribute to Donald Dewar on the 10th anniversary of his death.

The Scottish Parliament's inaugural First Minister - who died on October 11, 2000, after a brain haemorrhage - was hailed as a champion of those most in need.

His statue, overlooking Buchanan Street, has since become a much-loved focal point of the shopping precinct.

Butler - Dewar's successor as Anniesland MSP - raised the anniversary to remember a man "devoted to the creation not only of the parliament itself but of a more just and equal Scotland".

Butler said: "Donald was a unique individual who made a massive contribution to Scotland.

"He was a man of integrity, blessed with a great intellect, and a formidable parliamentarian. His speech on the opening day of the new Scottish Parliament will live long in the memory of those who heard it."

Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said: "It was a great privilege to serve as a minister for Donald Dewar and I will always appreciate he gave me that opportunity.

"He was a Glaswegian through and through and the scenes outside Glasgow Cathedral at his funeral showed how much the city held him in its heart.

"It was a tragedy he did not live longer to see the Scottish Parliament mature but it is his legacy to the country that earned him a special place in Scottish history."

Chairman of Glasgow North West Labour Party councillor Paul Rooney described Dewar, who was 63 when he died, as a "political giant".

He added: "Donald is still fondly remembered by his former constituents as having time for everyone and never regarding any problem as being too small for his personal attention.

"He was warm, friendly, blessed with a sharp sense of humour and inspired great loyalty in those who were fortunate enough to work with him."

The motion said the parliament placed on record its "admiration for his life and work, in particular, his central role in the long campaign for the establishment of a devolved Scottish legislature".

It added that the parliament recognised Dewar's contribution to Scottish public life and acknowledges that his central political objective was "to champion the cause of those most in need and to do so unequivocally, without fear or favour".

He was devoted to the creation, not only of the parliament itself, but of a "more just and equal Scotland".