WARM tributes were paid to Greenock and Inverclyde Labour MSP Duncan McNeil at a party to mark his retirement from the Scottish Parliament.

People from all walks of Inverclyde life were there to thank him for his help since being elected as the constituency’s first MSP in 1999.

The Rev Alan Sorensen of Wellpark Midkirk said Mr McNeil had been a great friend to his church and to the community.

He said: “I’m delighted to be part of this gathering.

“Inverclyde and Scotland owes him a huge debt.”

Provost Robert Moran said he and Mr McNeil had both left school and gone straight into the shipyards before becoming involved in trade unions and the Labour Party.

The Provost said: “Duncan has been an amazing ambassador for Inverclyde.

“His life experiences have gone into the Scottish Parliament. He has the ordinary man’s touch and he has done a lot for this area.”

Eddie Macdonald, chair of Greenock and District Trades Council and local GMB president, said Mr McNeil would be a great loss to Holyrood.

He said: “Duncan has contributed a great deal to the health and wellbeing of this community, and he has been a staunch supporter of the Trades Council and also of Inverclyde Advice and Employment Rights Centre.”

The employment centre’s manager, Jim McCourt, said Mr McNeil had been one of its founder members in 1996.

Mr McCourt said: “Duncan has always been willing to help us over the years in our campaigning to help local workers.”

Among the many other people at the gathering was Vincent Gillen, social history curator at the McLean Museum, who has worked with the MSP on several projects, including histories of Scotts’ shipyard and World War One.

He said: “Duncan has been helpful in various ways to the museum.” 

Mr Gillen is also head coach at Inverclyde Phoenix American Football club, and said the MSP had assisted them in applying for grants.

Mr McNeil, who has been elected four times to the parliament, said the farewell party was an important event for him as he approaches his retirement.

He said: “It was an ideal opportunity to say thanks to those I have worked with over the years.

“I’m grateful to them all for coming along.”