Former Scotsman editor, Ruddock, dies

ALAN Ruddock, a former editor of The Scotsman newspaper, has suddenly died. He was aged just 49.

Says today’s Scotsman, he was taken ill while playing cricket at home in Ireland. The paper adds he had previously overcome Hodgkin’s Disease.

A native of Dublin, Ruddock was Scotsman editor between 1998 and 2000, and it was to Ireland he returned, after his time in Edinburgh. He wrote for the Irish Independent.

Current Scotsman editor, John McLellan, is quoted, leading the tributes: “Alan Ruddock was a fine editor of The Scotsman, an instinctive journalist with a keen eye for political and business stories.

“He steered the paper at a crucial time for Scotland [the creation of the Scottish Parliament] and his sharp brain combined with his Irish background meant he had a natural feel for the issues facing the country.

“He was a charming, fun and extremely helpful colleague. All our thoughts are with his family.”

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