Former Kingdom FM director who served in the European Parliament dies after cancer battle

A former Kingdom FM director and veteran Fife Conservative politician has died at the age of 83 following a cancer battle.

John Purvis served as a Member of the European Parliament in two stints.

He was most recently co-president of pro-EU campaigning group the European Movement in Scotland, alongside former SNP Scottish Government minister Mike Russell.

There have been a range of tributes to him.

On Twitter, the European Movement in Scotland has hailed Mr Purvis as a "lovely man" and said they were sad about him passing away:

We mourn the loss of our co-president John Purvis, former Conservative MEP, after his courageous battle against cancer: a lovely man, assiduous campaigner and truly great European

— European Movement in Scotland (@euromovescot) March 21, 2022

The Courier reports that Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross MP MSP says Mr Purvis served Scotland with "great dignity", while former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie MSP says that Mr Purvis was "relentlessly polite and and good humoured".

Ross said: "I am very sorry to hear of John’s passing. He served our party and Scotland with great dignity as a MEP during his time in office.

"He was a man of great principle and will be sadly missed. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."

Rennie said: "John was such a great public servant throughout his life and right up to the days before his passing.

"From a member of the European Parliament through to his campaigning against Brexit he was steadfast and principled.

"He was relentlessly polite and good humoured.

"My thoughts are with his wife Louise and his family."

Former North East Fife SNP MP Stephen Gethins says on Twitter that the news of Mr Purvis passing away is a "loss for Fife":

This is incredibly sad news and a loss for Fife and beyond. John was a kind & thoughtful man. Despite being in different political parties I benefitted hugely from his advice and support before & after the EU Referendum. He will be badly missed. https://t.co/2ykKvogOUh

— Stephen Gethins (@StephenGethins) March 21, 2022

Former Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith Mark Lazarowicz has also paid tribute to Purvis on Twitter, saying that he was a "great pro-European all his life":

This is sad news. John Purvis remained a great pro-European all his life, anti-Brexit, for #Remain and #Rejoin until the end. Actively campaigning with @euromovescot @EuropeFife until a few months ago @euromove a pro-EU voice in Conservatives. Sincere condolences to his family https://t.co/ZkVMqc5DRm

— Mark Lazarowicz (@marklazarowicz) March 21, 2022

John Purvis had his first stint as a Conservative MEP between 1979 and 1984.

He returned to Brussels after being elected in 1999 and remained there until 2009.

Mr Purvis served as vice-chair of an EU finance committee and was also a member of energy and trade groups at the parliament.

He was strongly against Brexit in the 2016 UK referendum.

Kingdom FM are very sorry to report on his passing and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.