Replacement for late MSP Alex Johnstone announced as Bill Bowman

Bill Bowman replaces Alex Johnstone

The replacement for the late Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone has been announced.

Bill Bowman will take over from North East MSP Mr Johnstone, who died last week after being diagnosed with cancer.

Kincardineshire-born former dairy farmer Mr Johnstone, 55, was the longest-serving Scottish Conservative MSP at Holyrood.

Mr Bowman stood for the Conservatives in Dundee City East earlier this year. He becomes a regional list MSP.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said Mr Johnstone was "a big man with a big heart" who "embodied politics at its best".

It has been announced that Mr Johnstone's funeral will be at Glenbervie Parish Church on Friday at noon.

Mr Johnstone was a list MSP for North East Scotland