Former Scottish Lib Dem press officer Neil Mackinnon dies suddenly

I am incredibly sad tonight.

I woke up this afternoon from a nap and saw the terrible news that Neil Mackinnon, our first press officer in the Scottish Parliament, had died suddenly and unexpectedly.

I know many of our Scottish readers will share my shock and sadness.

When I returned to Scotland 24 years ago, Neil was one of the first people I met. He had a very funny dry sense of humor and was one of the wisest liberals. He was very good at sitting me down and trying to convince me to take the establishment position and sometimes he even succeeded. I’ll never forget the raise of his eyebrow when I did something he disapproved of – and the twinkle in his eye that revealed he wasn’t really that mad.

He stopped working for the party about 15 years ago and went to work for the Edinburgh Fringe and then the UK government under various guises, but was still a supportive and constructively critical friend of the party. He could also phone like a demon.

There is something going on in my life right now that I know he would have liked and I meant to text him to tell him. Today’s lesson is that when you think about reaching out to someone, do it then and there.

Alongside Neil, in the Scottish Parliament, worked the young Alex Cole-Hamilton. He paid tribute to Neil tonight. Here is the press release in full:

The Scottish Liberal Democrats are sad to report that our friend and former colleague Neil Mackinnon has died suddenly and unexpectedly.

Neil worked for the Scottish Liberal Democrats in the press office during the period before the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999 until 2009. After leaving Holyrood, he went on to a career at the Edinburgh Fringe, and then as a project manager, first at HMRC and then the UK government.

Neil was a familiar figure to those working in Scottish politics, especially at Holyrood, and will be greatly missed.

He died last week suddenly and unexpectedly. Formal legal processes still need to be carried out before any new news or announcements can be made.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“Neil was a staunch supporter of liberalism and was our friend. A leading voice in the early days of the Scottish Parliament, Neil was immensely liked across the political spectrum and throughout the press.

“Although his career took him in a different direction, he never lost touch with the party and offered me valuable support and advice throughout my time as leader. I will miss him very much.”

Scottish journalist Kenny Farquharson, formerly of Scotland at the Sunday and Times, said on Twitter:

Deeply disturbing news that Neil Mackinnon has died. Simply the most adorable man: warm, dry, intelligent, wise and, above all, mischievous. In the early days of devolution his influence went beyond the Scottish Liberal Democrats for whom he worked. He was a reference of the political era. Whatever he said in that deep, melodious Hebridean accent was always worth listening to. Just a few words ago, he was gently chiding me here about a column I wrote and he was right. Too young to lose yourself to your family and many friends. My thoughts are with them tonight.

Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro-Johnston said:

This is very sad news. Neil was always a good person to talk to in the early days of Parliament. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Richard Baker, now MP for Glenrothes but once in the Scottish Parliament, said: “

This is terribly sad news, Neil will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.

I know many of you will have memories of Neil. Feel free to share them in the comments.

*Caron Lindsay is editor of the Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron’s Musings