EDINBURGH (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Politicians from all over Scotland have paid homage to a member of the Scottish Parliament who passed while playing rugby for Holyrood.
David Hill died on Saturday while playing for the Scottish Parliament in a tournament in Dublin, according to his squad.
Mr Hill was the head of office for Scottish Conservative MSP and Holyrood justice spokesman Jamie Greene, who was described as “rugby daft.”
When he died, he was playing rugby for the cross-party Holyrood squad against the Dail and Seanad XV team of the Irish parliament.
Rodger Hill, his father, claimed his family was “devastated” by his death.
He tweeted, “I can’t believe I’m writing this. My amazing son David passed away today playing rugby in Dublin for the Scottish Parliament.”
“He was the best, and the pain is unbearable. We are shattered.”
Mr Hill was praised as a “confidant, a friend, a colleague for so many in the Parliament of Scotland over the years” by Mr Greene.
Mr Hill “loved politics, but he was in love with rugby more,” he added, adding that the entire parliament, the Conservative Party, and the “whole rugby community” are “very devastated.”
Mr Hill was photographed by the Scottish Parliament RFC with Gregor Townsend, the head coach of Scottish rugby.
Mr Hill received tributes from politicians of all parties, with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeting: “This is so terribly sad. My deepest condolences to David’s family, friends and colleagues.”
Mr Hill’s teammates, she claimed, are “all deeply startled and heartbroken.”
Douglas Ross, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said: David’s untimely death has shocked and devastated our entire party. He was a generous, kind, well-liked, and well-respected member of our team.
He will be sorely missed. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
In a statement, Scottish Rugby said: “David’s death today has shocked and saddened us.
“David was a regular at Scotland internationals and was dubbed ‘rugby daft’ by his family.”
“Everyone at Scottish Rugby sends their condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
Image via Scottish Parliament RFC
