Hundreds pay tribute to former SNP leader

HUNDREDS of mourners gathered to pay tribute to former SNP leader Gordon Wilson, who died last month after a short illness, aged 79.

Alongside his widow Edith and daughters Margaret and Katie were senior members of the SNP including First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, former party leader Alex Salmond, Shona Robison, Stewart Hosie and Jim Sillars.

Giving the eulogy at a service of remembrance, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said Mr Wilson, pictured, would be remembered as a ‘rebel’ who devoted his life to the Nationalist cause.

Speaking at St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee, he added: ‘The existence today of a Scottish parliament, the existence of an SNP Government and the existence of a more self-confident Scotland is due to the foundations laid by Gordon Wilson.’

Mr Swinney added that Mr Wilson was ‘utterly pivotal to the survival and success of the SNP’.

After obtaining his law degree from Edinburgh University Mr Wilson worked as a solicitor before being elected as MP for Dundee East in 1974, a seat he held until 1987.

He worked his way through the ranks of the SNP, serving as national secretary from 1964 to 1971 and executive vicechairman between 1972 and 1973.

During that time, he was the prime mover behind the party’s North Sea oil campaign, coining the political slogan ‘It’s Scotland’s Oil’.

Yesterday’s service was conducted by the Rev David Robertson.

Mr Robertson said: ‘We should emember that in his political career he never forgot his family. He was not one of those politicians who argued for family values whilst not practising them. He was hardworking, gracious, wise and gentle.’

Speaking afterwards, Miss Sturgeon said: ‘He led the party through some really difficult times and laid the foundations for the Scotland we know today.’