Scottish Parliament to be recalled after death of Duke

THE Scottish Parliament is to be recalled for only the sixth time in its history to show respect to the Duke of Edinburgh.

Ken Macintosh, Holyrood’s Presiding Officer, said MSPs will be recalled at 11am on Monday.

Mr Macintosh said: “I have this afternoon decided that the Parliament should be recalled to show our respect to the Duke of Edinburgh following today’s sad announcement.

“His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, lived a life dedicated to duty and public service and his support for this institution was clear.

“This is why I have taken the decision to recall in order that we may take the time to pause, remember and pay tribute to his work.”

The meeting will start with a minute’s silence before considering a Motion of Condolence with a statement from party leaders.

The Parliament has previously been recalled on January 4 to discuss the Covid-19 pandemic and for the death of former first minister Donald Dewar, the death of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, for a ministerial statement on the release of Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, and on December 30 last year for a Brexit debate.

Scotland’s political parties had earlier suspended campaigning for the May election after Philip’s death.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among those paying tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh in

Scotland. She said: “On behalf of the people of Scotland, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Her Majesty The Queen and the rest of the royal family. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time and their grief is shared by people across the country.”

A notice announcing the death has been posted on the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh.

Flags were lowered to halfmast there, as well as at the Scottish Parliament, Scottish Government and local authority buildings.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: “We have lost a tremendous public servant who for decades served his Queen and country. My heartfelt condolences are with Her Majesty and all of the royal family.” Scotland’s other political leaders also paid tribute, with Labour’s Anas Sarwar offering his party’s sympathies and saying: “Scotland is today mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant who contributed so much to our country.”

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said Philip would be “mourned in every continent”.

Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: “We recognise the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh will be felt deeply by some across the country and express our sympathies with his family, who join many others who have lost loved ones in this last year.”