 | 'She was an inspiration to all who knew her, not least in the brave way she fought illness.' SNP deputy leader, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, 21 st March 2006. |  |
| 'She was an inspiration to all who knew her, not least in the brave way she fought illness.' SNP deputy leader, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, 21 st March 2006. | |
TRIBUTES last night poured in for the "inspirational" Margaret Ewing.
The 60-year-old SNP MSP was found dead at her home in Lossiemouth, Moray, after a battle with cancer.
The former MP carried on in politics despite breast cancer surgery in 2002. She retained her Moray seat with a record majority in 2003.
Her Nationalist MSP husband Fergus Ewing was at Holyrood when he learned of her death.
Last night, SNP leader Alex Salmond led the tributes. He said: "Margaret was an outstanding MP and MSP and a hugely supportive friend and colleague.
"She will be missed across the political spectrum because she was one of the few politicians without an enemy.
"Her love for Moray was well known. Her constituents responded by electing her five times and, in 2003, by a record majority, despite a debilitating illness."
SNP Holyrood leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "She was an inspiration to all who knew her, not least in the brave way she fought illness.
"The nationalist movement has lost one of its finest ambassadors."
Lib Dem leader Menzies Campbell said: "Margaret Ewing was a bonny fighter and represented her constituents with diligence and commitment.
"Her devotion for her own party was boundless and she was much loved and respected on all sides."
First Minister Jack McConnell said: "For over 30 years, Margaret Ewing has made a significant contribution, both on behalf of the constituents she represented and Scottish politics. She was popular with members from all parties in the parliament and we will all miss her."
Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie said: "There is a very real sense of loss at the death of Margaret Ewing.
"She was an able parliamentarian and a doughty advocate for the constituents whose interests she represented robustly and eloquently."
Margaret was one of the few MSPs who had experience of Westminster. She won East Dunbartonshire in 1974 by just 22 votes but lost the seat in 1979.
But in 1987, she won Moray from the Tories. In 1990, she lost to Salmond in a leadership battle but went on to be parliamentary leader at Westminster.
She quit as an MP after becoming Moray's MSP in 1999, when the Ewing dynasty - Margaret, Fergus and his mum Winnie - were all elected to Holyrood.
She was due to stand down next year. A by-election must be held within three months.
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