TRIBUTES have been paid to former Labour MP Ernie Ross following his death this weekend at the age of 79.

Ross represented Dundee West at Westminster between 1979 and 2005, until his retirement.

Michael Marra, who represents Labour at Holyrood for the North East Scotland region, said Ross had died peacefully in Dundee.

“He was a lovely man, utterly devoted to his family and a friend to many,” Marra tweeted. “He took untold joy in the election of a Labour government in 1997.

“For eight years he never stopped smiling as he voted through legislation time and again that helped his constituents and the country.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has described the former parliamentarian as a “passionate voice against injustice” in his home city and across the world.

UK Labour chief Keir Starmer described Ross as a “stalwart” of the party and an “effective campaigner”.

SNP MP Chris Law, who now represents the Dundee West constituency, wrote that he was sorry to hear of the “sad passing” of the former MP. “My thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and former colleagues,” Law tweeted.