Danus Skene, the SNP candidate for Shetland who narrowly lost against Alistair Carmichael in last year’s general election, has passed away.
The 72 year old died in the early hours of Friday morning after undergoing surgery in London, the local party branch has confirmed.
Local party convenor Robbie McGregor paid tribute to Skene saying he was deeply sorry that he and the SNP had lost a good friend and servant.
“Our thoughts at this time are with his family to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.”
Despite still recovering from earlier heart surgery Skene also stood against sitting MSP Tavish Scott in this year’s Scottish Parliament elections and lost heavily.
MP Alistair Carmichael described Skene’s passing as “sad news” and a loss “across the political spectrum”.
“I know that Danus had not kept good health for some time, but when I spoke to him last month he appeared to be on the mend and was clearly enjoying time with his family who were then in Shetland,” he said.
“He was a very intelligent man who was passionate about his politics but was always reasoned in his argument.
“He will be missed by his many friends across the political spectrum and throughout Scotland and also in Africa where he had a longstanding and very practical commitment.”
In last year’s Westminster election, Skene managed to bring the Liberal Democrats’ majority down from 9,928 to 817 votes.
In May this year, Skene came second to Tavish Scott in the Scottish Parliament vote in Shetland with 23.1 per cent of the vote.
He twice fought for a Westminster seat for the Liberal Democrats – in North Tayside back in 1983, and in Moray four years later.
Skene was born in Dundee and first worked as a history and modern studies teacher. He then became an education official at Tayside regional council.