First Minister pays tribute to former union stalwart

Tributes were yesterday paid to former Scottish trade union leader Jimmy Reid, who has died at the age of 78.

Mr Reid rose to international prominence when he led a "work-in" of thousands of ship-builders on the Clyde during 1971 and 1972.

He was described as an "iconic figure" who will be missed across the political spectrum.

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He died at Inverclyde Royal hospital in Greenock on Tuesday after falling ill at the weekend. He leaves a wife, Joan, and three daughters, Eileen, Shona and Julie.

Scotland First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Jimmy Reid was Clyde-built.

"He has been Scotland's great rallying figure over the last four decades and was one of the few Scottish political figures who can genuinely say that they provoked real change for the better in society – always addressing both a Scottish and international audience. Above all, Jimmy was a warm, humorous and generous human being."