SNP ACTIVIST DIES DURING A ZOOM MEET
MSP friend says party colleague will be ‘greatly missed’ after shock death
A WELL-KNOWN SNP activist died in front of shocked colleagues while chairing an online Zoom meeting.
John MacMillan, 59, convener of Argyll and Bute SNP Con st i tuenc y Association, died during the group’s Sunday meeting.
Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell spoke last night of his shock after witnessing the death of his party colleague.
He said: “All of us who were present at the meeting, and I am sure the wider community as well, are feeling an overwhelming sense of shock and disbelief.
“Obviously, all our thoughts are with his widow, Anne, at this time and our hearts go out to her given the tremendous loss she has suffered.”
Russell added: “John had spoken on the phone with many of us over the last few days and had just made opening remarks to the meeting.
“But despite the immediate actions that Anne took and the rapid medical attention from local paramedics in Ballachulish he was not able to be revived.
“John was a lifelong supporter of independence and after a highly successful business career, he retired to spend more time on the things that really mattered to him – his life with Anne, his beloved Highlands and the SNP.”
John, from Ballachulish, had been active in the SNP for many years in a number of branches, including Oban, and became vice- convener of the constituency some years ago before taking over the convener role.
Russell said John had ambitious plans and fundraising and other events to take the association up to the 2021 election.
He added: “Working closely with him as the constituency MSP, I was always grateful for his attention to details.
“John will be greatly missed by me and by many as a valued colleague and a friend.”