Margaret Ewing, 1945-2006

The Scottish Parliament has seen its second death in office, with Margaret Ewing, the SNP MSP for Moray, finally losing her battle with breast cancer.

Margaret Ewing was, as Margaret Bain, a member of the SNP's 'First Eleven', winning the seat of East Dunbartonshire with a majority of 22 votes in 1974. She lost the seat in 1979, but returned to Parliament as MP for Moray in 1987. She was defeated by Alex Salmond for Convenership of the SNP in 1990, though became the leader of the Parliamentary Group. She also became the first MSP for Moray in 1999, being re-elected in 2003, having stood down from Westminster in 2001. She had already announced plans to stand down in 2007.