Ayr’s MSP closes office

AYR MSP Siobhian Brown, along with many other Holyrood politicians, closed her constituency office as a mark of respect following the Queen’s death.

Ms Brown said: “It was extremely sad to learn of the passing of Queen Elizabeth.

“My thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the Royal Family. Many people across Scotland, the UK, the Commonwealth and across the world will be mourning the loss of the Queen and the end of an era that has been with all of us throughout our lives.

“For more than seven decades the Queen has shown unwavering dedication and devotion to public duty, which always came first to her Majesty.

“She gave a lifetime of service to the country. May she now rest in peace.

“As we now enter a period of national mourning, I will be suspending all social media activity and my constituency office will remain closed as a mark of respect.

“Please be assured myself and my team will still be available to help with urgent cases.”

South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth added: “This is deeply sad news for the country, but first and foremost we should remember the Queen was a very much loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. My thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty’s loved ones.

“Like many people I’ve had the very great honour of attending events in the presence of the Queen. Those special occasions were just a very small part of a truly remarkable lifetime of public service, for which we should all be immensely grateful.

“Most of us will never have known a time when Her Majesty was not serving our country as our monarch.

“She has been such a comforting rock of stability, reassurance and compassion for our country at a time of so much turmoil and change and we all deeply mourn her loss.”