Scottish election 2021: Holyrood recalled as campaign paused after duke death

The Scottish parliament will be recalled at 11:00 on Monday following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

Presiding officer Ken Macintosh confirmed MSPs will return to Holyrood to pay tribute to Prince Philip.

Scotland's political parties suspended campaigning on Friday for the election on 6 May after Buckingham Palace's announcement shortly after midday.

Cross-party talks are also being held to determine how long campaigning will be paused for.

Flags outside Holyrood were lowered earlier on Friday as a mark of respect.

Mr Macintosh expressed his sympathy on behalf of the Scottish parliament to the Queen and the Royal Family.

He said the Duke was very supportive of the parliament, attending every royal occasion at Holyrood before retiring from public life.

The presiding officer said it was only fitting that MSPs should be able to pay their respects when parliament is re-called.

There will also be a special session of the House of Commons on Monday as MPs return to Westminster to pay tribute to the Duke.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had been visiting Whitelee Wind Farm in East Renfrewshire on Friday morning before news of Prince Philip's death was announced.

"As a mark of respect my party, and I think all parties in Scotland, have suspended campaigning over the course of today," said Ms Sturgeon later outside her home in Glasgow.

"I am sure we will come together to consider what any longer-term implications are. I am pretty sure that the Royal Family would not want a democratic campaign to be suspended indefinitely.

"But I think it is right and proper as a mark of respect we all take a step back from campaigning today and remember Prince Philip and have our thoughts, first and foremost, with the Queen and her family."

Scotland's parties were approaching the end of the second full week of campaigning ahead of the election on 6 May, with several scheduled to launch their manifestos next week.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said that in the middle of a political campaign, the Duke's death was "a reminder of what's most important in life".

"We have lost a tremendous public servant who for decades served his Queen and country. My heartfelt condolences are with Her Majesty and all of the Royal Family," Mr Ross said.

"This is not the time for political campaigning. It is a time for national mourning."

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said Scotland was mourning the loss of "a dedicated public servant".

"My thoughts are with the entire Royal Family and Her Majesty The Queen, following the death of her beloved husband," he said.

"On behalf of the Scottish Labour Party, I offer our deepest sympathies."

Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie said Prince Philip's death "marks the end of an outstanding life of 99 years and decades of outstanding public service too".

Mr Rennie said both his sons had benefited from the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, which "enriched the lives of young people which has a worth before any monetary value".

The Scottish Greens said they they recognised the Duke's death "will be felt deeply by some across the country and express our sympathies with his family, who join many others who have lost loved ones in this last year."

Former first minister Alex Salmond, founder of the new Alba party, also sent his condolences to the Queen, adding that "no-one can question" Prince Philip's record of public service.

"The Duke of Edinburgh Awards gave hope and purpose to generations of young people," Mr Salmond said. "On a personal level I found Prince Philip direct and forthright but always welcoming and with a fine, enquiring mind."