Ex-SNP chief Halliday passes away

Jan 3 2013

First Minister Alex Salmond has led tributes to former SNP party chairman Jimmy Halliday who has died aged 85.

Mr Halliday, from Dundee, passed away on Thursday morning, the party said.

Paying tribute to the man who led the SNP between 1956 and 1960, Mr Salmond said: "Jimmy's wit and wisdom will be much missed across the ranks of the wider national movement.

"My thoughts are with his wife Olive, his sons and family."

A few years after Mr Halliday became chairman the SNP was "contesting every seat in Scotland and winning by-elections", Mr Salmond said.

He also played a crucial role as the "guiding hand" of the Scots Independent newspaper.