Former SNP leader Wolfe dies at 86

Mar 19 2010

First Minister Alex Salmond paid tribute to a former SNP leader who died in hospital on Thursday night.

Billy Wolfe was Nationalist leader for a decade, during which time his party achieved its greatest electoral success at Westminster. The 86-year-old died in Udston Hospital in Hamilton following a period of illness.

On Friday Mr Salmond said that Mr Wolfe "more than anyone" had transformed the SNP into a modern political party. He said his surprise second place in the 1962 West Lothian by-election had been a key moment for the SNP.