Ex-Deputy FM and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader dies after complications from surgery

Rosie Wallace, who tied the knot with Jim in 1983, confirmed his death in a statement.

She said: "The family are very shocked by Jim’s death. It was all so sudden.

"He was still incredibly active in a whole host of areas.

"Jim was still going up and down to London and participating fully in the House of Lords.

"He was singing in the Dunblane Cathedral choir over the festive period and was looking forward to spending even more time with his grandchildren."

Lord Wallace was first elected as the MP for Orkney & Shetland in 1983, later entering the Scottish Parliament as an MSP for Orkney in 1999.

He helped prop up Donald Dewar's Government in Holyrood following the 1999 Scottish Parliament Election.

Lord Wallace filled in as First Minister on several occasions, including after the death of Mr Dewar and the resignation of Henry McLeish.

The veteran MSP left Holyrood in 2007, later being appointed to the House of Lords.

Lord Wallace sat on Sir Kenneth Calman's commission on devolution, which recommended extending Holyrood's powers.

He had already played a leading role in securing devolution north of the border, keeping a top role during the referendum held in 1997.

Lord Wallace also continued campaigning for the Liberal Democrats throughout his life, appearing alongside his successor Alex Cole-Hamilton as recently as 2024.

His wife also said it "brings some comfort" that he had been "surrounded by those he loved most when he died".

She added that she was "thankful" the whole family had been together in Scotland over Christmas when Clare, one of their two daughters, and her family had flown in from New Zealand.

After entering the House of Lords in 2007, Lord Wallace was made the Liberal Democrats's leader in the upper chamber.

During his stint in the Coalition Government, the Annan-born politician served as Advocate General for Scotland.

He also served as the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 2021 to 2022.

Lord Wallace had served as a Vice President of the National Churches Trust.

Responding to his death, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Jim Wallace devoted his life to public service, his Christian faith and the cause of liberalism.

"He was a tireless champion for the Northern Isles, Scotland and our United Kingdom.

“Jim was the first Liberal Democrat MP I ever met, gave me my first job in the party and has been a good friend ever since.

"He was an incredible constituency MP and an inspiration to so many as Deputy First Minister. Our whole Liberal Democrat family will miss him dearly, and we hold his family in our thoughts and prayers tonight.”