TRIBUTES have been paid to the former SNP MSP Chic Brodie, who has died aged 78.
The former South of Scotland representative was described as a “lovely colleague and friend” by Deputy First Minister John Swinney.
Brodie died on Sunday, said Ayr MP Allan Dorans, after a short illness.
He was remembered by others as a “bit of a maverick” and “always engaging and good company”.
Sad to report that Chic Brodie, former SNP MSP for South of Scotland, passed away today after a short illness. Thoughts and prayers with Mary and his family. pic.twitter.com/SXxhTXC4oB
— Allan Dorans MP 🏴🇺🇦 (@allandoransMP) September 24, 2022
Originally a member of the Liberal Party, Brodie shifted to the LibDems after the merger with the SDP in the 1980s and became a councillor in Surrey Heath in England in 1995.
By 2011, he had contested a number of seats for the LibDems, including in Glasgow, Inverclyde and Perth.
The year prior, he joined the SNP and was a candidate for the party in the 2011 Scottish Parliament, contesting the Ayr seat. He was returned as a regional list MSP for the South of Scotland, a position he held until 2016.
He left the SNP in 2017 and in 2020, he launched his own party, Scotia Future, and stood for the Ayr seat again in 2021.
Michael Russell, the president of the SNP, tweeted: “Sorry to hear this - Chic was always engaging & good company. His own political journey to independence reflected how Scotland itself has changed over the last thirty years. Condolences to his family.”
Former Falkirk East MSP Angus MacDonald said: “Chic was a colleague and friend at Holyrood for five years serving with me on a number of committees. Always well-intentioned and sometimes a bit of a maverick.
“Many an entertaining conversation we had. His wealth of business knowledge was second to none.”
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser added: “Very sad news. I worked closely with Chic on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee at Holyrood and always appreciated his insights and good humour.
“His famous exchange with Donald Trump became the stuff of legend.”
Brodie was part of the committee when Trump appeared before it in 2012 and claimed the Scottish public hated windfarms.
Asked by Brodie if he had any evidence for that claim, Trump replied: “I am the evidence.”
