Former deputy leader of SNP dies

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The former deputy leader of the Scottish National Party Douglas Henderson has died at the age of 71.

Mr Henderson was the MP for East Aberdeenshire in the 1970s and was standing as an MSP at the next Scottish parliamentary elections.

Party leaders have paid tribute to a man whose commitment to an independent Scotland spanned seven decades.

He died on Friday and is survived by his companion Betty Davies and four children from a previous marriage.

Described as wonderfully witty, and no-nonsense by senior party figures, Mr Henderson served as the MP for East Aberdeenshire from 1974 to 1979, acting as SNP chief whip and the party's spokesman on employment and industry.

It is a great sadness that Scotland has been deprived of his abilities at this time Alex SalmondSNP leader

He was recently selected to fight the Falkirk East seat at next year's Holyrood election.

SNP leader Alex Salmond MP said he was saddened by the loss of such a "hugely influential" talent.

"Douglas is still hugely respected in the constituency, particularly among the fishing community who loved his forthright no-nonsense style of representation," he said.

"It is all the sadder that he should pass away now just as he'd been selected to fight an eminently winnable seat in the Scottish elections.

"It was Douglas' dearest wish to serve in the Scottish Parliament. And it is a great sadness that Scotland has been deprived of his abilities at this time."

SNP grandee Winnie Ewing said she had lost a great friend and colleague.

Dr Ewing said: "He was a wonderfully witty man and it was an honour to have served alongside him in parliament."

Mr Henderson died following a short illness.