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Sir George Reid, a former Scottish Parliament presiding officer, has passed away at the age of 86. Prior to taking on the role of chairing the parliament’s debates in 2003, Sir George had already established himself as a prominent journalist and SNP politician. His political career began in 1974 when he was elected as the SNP MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire, a position he held until 1979. After a 12-year stint working with the International Red Cross, Sir George returned to politics in 1995 and was elected to the Scottish Parliament four years later, ultimately stepping down in 2007.
Born in Tullibody, near Alloa in Clackmannanshire, in 1939, Sir George went on to graduate from St Andrews University. He furthered his education by studying international affairs, humanitarian law, and conflict resolution in the US, Switzerland, and Sweden. Sir George’s professional journey included stints as a reporter for the Daily Express in the 1960s, as well as roles as a TV producer and presenter for both the BBC and STV. Despite a brief tenure as an SNP MP from 1974 to 1979, Sir George devoted 12 years to working with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, providing aid in various conflicts and disasters around the world.
Upon the reconvening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, Sir George was elected as the MSP for Ochil. Although he initially vied to become the first presiding officer of the parliament in 1999, the position was claimed by Sir David Steel. It wasn’t until 2003 that Sir George took up the role of presiding officer, relinquishing his SNP membership to ensure impartiality. Despite his deep-rooted connection to Clackmannanshire, where he could trace his family lineage back to 1650, Sir George always maintained a strong focus on global issues. His professional achievements, from his editorial roles at STV and Granada to his impactful work with the Red Cross in Geneva, reflected his dedication to making a positive difference in the world. Sir George once remarked that his time with the Red Cross allowed him to do “far more good than at any other time in my life.
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