TRIBUTES have been paid to a former STV journalist who has died at the age of 56.
Former colleague Stephen Jardine, now of the BBC, announced the death of his “best friend” Rae Stewart on Twitter on Tuesday.
Stewart was born in Tain, Ross-shire, and worked as a reporter for more than 20 years with ITN, GMTV, Sky News and STV.
He served as the STV Westminster correspondent before moving into communications.
After leaving broadcasting, he was the head of communications for the Iraq Inquiry and was press secretary to Nick Clegg when he served as deputy prime minister in the coalition government.
READ MORE: CalMac boss accuses STV News of 'irresponsible reporting' over 'crashed' claim
Stewart also worked in government communications, including as the interim head of comms for the NHS Test and Trace during the coronavirus pandemic in 2021.
STV News reported he took early retirement in July last year owing to ill health.
My best friend Rae Stewart has died after an illness. He was just 56. Rae was a proud son of Tain and a brilliant journalist, author, husband, father and friend. All my thoughts today are with him and his beloved family. pic.twitter.com/HsN3ti3zyd
— Stephen Jardine (@StephenJardine) June 20, 2023
Jardine announced his friend’s death on Twitter, saying: “My best friend Rae Stewart has died after an illness.
“He was just 56. Rae was a proud son of Tain and a brilliant journalist, author, husband, father and friend.
“All my thoughts today are with him and his beloved family.”
STV special correspondent Bernard Ponsonby said: “Rae was regarded as a gentleman when that term had gone out of fashion. It reflected his courtesy and good manners.
“But that should not be taken to mean he was stuffy.
“He conducted himself with a relaxed irreverence and more than a hint of charm that made him popular with colleagues and public figures alike.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here