Family’s shock as MSP’s son, 20, dies on trip to Amsterdam
Police probe possible drug link after body found in red-light area hostel
SCOTTISH Government minister clare haughey was left devastated yesterday after her student son died while on holiday in Amsterdam.
the body of charlie haughey, 20, who was in the Dutch capital with friends, was discovered in a hostel where he had been staying at about 11am on Saturday.
the building is only yards from the notoriously liberal city’s red-light zone. Police are probing a possible drugs link.
Mr haughey was born in Sydney, Australia, but lived in Rutherglen, near Glasgow. his mother, who has been the town’s Nationalist MSP since 2016, is currently the Mental health Minister.
the student, a former pupil of trinity high, Rutherglen, had been studying at Strathclyde University but was off for the summer.
Mr haughey’s brother, Sean, said the family are ‘devastated’.
he wrote online: ‘For those who aren’t already aware, over the weekend we received the news that my brother charlie haughey had passed away Saturday morning while on holiday with his friends.
‘A further post will be made when funeral arrangements are finalised for those wanting to attend.
‘As you can imagine, we’re all devastated at the loss of a brother, son, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend.
‘We have been very grateful for all the kind messages and support we’ve received over the past couple of days.’
A spokesman for the Dutch National Police said: ‘he (Mr haughey) was found on Saturday at around 11am in a hostel.
‘he was a 20-year-old man with an Australian nationality, living in Scotland. When we arrived there he was already declared dead.
‘We are looking into the cause of his death. We are also investigating maybe the use of drugs and if that had something to do with that [his death].’
An official statement on the Dutch National Police website confirmed: ‘Emergency services had gone to the hostel after a report that the victim, a 20-yearold man from Glasgow with Australian nationality, had been unwell. When the emergency services arrived, the victim was already deceased. the police are investigating the cause of death. the investigation takes into account the scenario that the use of (hard) drugs may have played a role.’
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon led tributes to the young student yesterday. She said: ‘My thoughts – and those of all of us in the SNP – are with clare and her family at this desperately sad time. i know they will be grateful for privacy as they try to come to terms with their loss.’
Justice Secretary humza Yousaf said: ‘Devastated to hear this tragic news about my friend and colleague clare haughey MSP, one of the nicest people i know. i cannot imagine the unbearable pain she and her family are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with clare and her family.’
Nationalist MSP Bruce crawford said: ‘this is devastating news and our thoughts are with our dear friend and colleague clare, her family and all those who knew charlie.
‘the family is very grateful for the warm messages received and kindly requests that their privacy is respected at this time.’
the Rutherglen SNP group added: ‘it is with great sadness that we write this post to let you know that our MSP clare haughey’s son, charlie haughey, passed away this weekend.
‘As you can imagine we are devastated for clare and her family at this incredibly difficult time. We will now take a break from social media over the next few days as a mark of respect.’
Ged Killen, Labour MP for Rutherglen and hamilton West, said: ‘My deepest condolences go to clare and her family at this incredibly difficult time.’
Labour MSP James Kelly added: ‘this is dreadfully sad news. My sincere condolences go to clare haughey and her family.’
the hostel where the body was found is on Spuistraat, a street only a short walk from Amsterdam’s notorious red-light district.
the area has a number of budget hotels and hostels. there are also several cannabis cafés nearby.
A spokesman for the Foreign and commonwealth office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a man following his death in Amsterdam, and our staff are in contact with the police.’
‘Thoughts are with our dear friend’