Ex-Scots Tory leader Annabel Goldie to step down as MSP

Former Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie is to step down as an MSP at the 2016 Holyrood election.

The 65-year-old West of Scotland MSP has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999 and served as Scots Tory leader from 2005 until 2011.

She was awarded a peerage in 2013 and said she now intends to focus on her duties in the House of Lords.

Prime Minister David Cameron described Baroness Goldie as a "tower of strength" to her party in Scotland.

Announcing her intention to step down, Baroness Goldie said: "It has been an immense privilege to have been an MSP during these first formative years of the Scottish Parliament.

"Since 1999 there have been significant developments translating the spirit of devolution into substantive Scottish achievements.

"It has afforded me both satisfaction and pleasure to serve my constituents and to serve the parliament and I will look back with great happiness at my time as an MSP."

Baroness Goldie said she was thankful for the support she had received from friends and colleagues "from all parties".

"Sometimes we found common ground, sometimes we disagreed, but never I hope with rancour nor disrespect," she said.

"Politics is a rough trade but we have built a strong parliament in Scotland of which we can all be rightly proud."

The outgoing MSP said leading her party had been "an enormous honour".

She added: "I now believe the Scottish Conservative party is in fine fettle and stands a great chance of making real progress in the years ahead.

"I look forward to continuing to work as part of that effort in the House of Lords in the years to come."

Conservative Party leader Mr Cameron paid tribute to Baroness Goldie's commitment and contribution to politics.

"Annabel is one of those rare breeds in Scottish politics, somebody known by her first name alone," he said.

"When she was Scottish Conservative leader, I valued her sage advice.

"She has been a towering strength to our party in Scotland, a doughty debater in the TV studios and Scottish Parliament and has one of the sharpest wits around."

The prime minister said he wished Baroness Goldie "a long and happy retirement after 17 years unstinting service at Holyrood" but said he looked forward to "seeing her on the red benches of the Lords for years to come".

Baroness Goldie's successor as leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, described her as "an inspiration to a whole generation of Scottish Conservatives".

"She has been a tremendous mentor, support and friend to me," said Ms Davidson.

"In Holyrood, she has fostered both affection and respect from all members - regardless of their political affiliation - and her retirement from the Scottish Parliament will leave an Annabel-sized hole which won't ever quite be filled. She is unique.

"Despite stepping down as an MSP, Annabel will continue to serve through her role in the House of Lords. She is an unstoppable force."