First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says he was robust in arguing his viewpoint in the chamber and he brought passion, good grace, good humour and sense of perspective.

Ms Sturgeon says, during FMQs, she should often notice Alex Johnstone gesticulating from the corner of her eye.

She says it was often an attempt to put her off and he often succeeded. 

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says Alex Johnstone was so widely liked and his passing has been so widely mourned, due to him begin a thoroughly good man.

Ms Sturgeon says condolences go to Linda, to his children and to his many, many friends.

She says Mr Johnstone made an extraordinary contribution to this parliament.

Ms Davidson pays tribute to "AJ's sense of fun". 

The Tory Leader says Alex was good for headlines and he would always take the calls of journalists and always had something to say.

She says he enjoyed history and read "as if books were suddenly endangered."

Ms Davidson says his stunts and campaigns were not one offs and he always carried them through and built friendships. 

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson thanks the presiding officer and fellow MSPs for attending Alex Johnstone's funeral.

Ms Davidson says his short illness and death at the age of 55 is shocking and she says Scotland has been robbed of a good man far to early.

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She says she does not know of anyone who did not like Alex.

Ms Davidson says she liked best a Labour blogger  who said you could disagree with Alex but never find him disagreeable.

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The Scottish Conervative leader welcomes Alex's wife Linda and his family and she says the thoughts and best wishes of all MSPs are with him.  

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh says it is now his sad duty to to introduce a motion of condolence for Tory MSP Alex Johnstone.

Mr Macintosh says to Mr Johnstone's family that he hopes they can take some comfort in the words his colleagues have shared about his life. 

He says, even when colleagues disagreed with him, noone could dislike him. 

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Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson described late colleague Alex Johnstone as a "proper true blue Tory" at his funeral.

The North East MSP, who had served at the Scottish Parliament since 1999, passed away last week aged 55 shortly after being diagnosed with cancer.

Ms Davidson said he had instructed his funeral be held on a Friday.

This was because parliament was not sitting, "so the SNP wouldn't win any votes while Tories were here".

Ms Davidson told the service at Glenbervie Parish Church in Aberdeenshire: "He was a proper true blue Tory who would go into bat for the team but never fell out with anyone while doing so.

Here is the motion of condolence. 

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MSPs will pay their respects and express condolences to the family and friends of the late Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone.

Today's time for reflection is delivered by Right Reverend Dr Nigel Peyton who is the Bishop of Brechin.

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Follow our extensive coverage of the statement on Scotland's place in the EU from 3pm.

First though MSPs will pay tribute and offer condolences to the friends and family of the late Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone.

That begins at 2.05pm.

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In topical questions, at the later time of 2.45pm, the issues of transvaginal mesh implants and the downgrading of the Scottish government forecast of revenues from the residential element of Lands and Buildings Transaction Tax will be raised.

After Brexit Minister Mike Russell has updated Holyrood on its post-Brexit proposals, the government will then lead a debate on improving the care experience for looked after children.

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MSPs will then vote on an LCM for the UK’s Higher Education and Research Bill.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale will then lead a member’s debate entitled tackling mesothelioma in Scotland.

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Nicola Sturgeon has argued it would be "democratically justifiable" for the whole of the UK to remain in the European single market after Brexit..

But the Scottish first minister also said it would be possible for Scotland to remain in the free trade bloc even if the rest of the UK left.

She was speaking as she unveiled proposals for Scotland's future relations with Europe after Brexit.

The prime minister has pledged to look "very seriously" at the proposals.

But the UK government has also warned that a special deal for Scotland is unrealistic.

The Scottish government proposals have now been published in full in a paper called Scotland's Place in Europe, external.  

Committee convener Gordon Lindhurst moves the committee into private session.

We'll be back at 2pm.