THE MP for Inverclyde has been criticised over his silence following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

While senior local politicians such as MSP Stuart McMillan, Councillor Chris McEleny and the Provost Martin Brennan all paid prompt tributes following Friday's announcement, Ronnie Cowan offered no public comment.

Both Westminster and the Scottish Parliament were recalled and have heard tributes while locally Inverclyde Council flew the Union Flag at half mast in Clyde Square and Morton's players and staff observed a minute's silence before their game on Saturday.

Mr Cowan's decision not to acknowledge the Duke's passing did not go unnoticed by a number of Tele readers, who contacted our newsroom to question it.

One said: "Whatever Mr Cowan's views are on the man, surely as elected representative he should at least have said something to acknowledge his passing?

"I believe most people would expect to hear from their MP after something like this.

"It shows a lack of common decency."

Another resident, who declined to be named, said: "Stuart McMillan made a tribute, as have councillors.

"The First Minister gave Prince Philip a glowing tribute and political people all over the UK have responded.

"It seems strange that we haven't seen one from Mr Cowan and I wonder why."

Another local added: "Ronnie Cowan is usually pretty active on social media and I think it is poor that our MP can't bring himself to say a few words as a basic mark of respect.

"This reflects badly on him."

When the Tele approached Mr Cowan's office they declined to say why Mr Cowan had chosen not to acknowledge the Duke's death, and instead sent us a statement.

In it Mr Cowan said: “As we look back over the life of Prince Philip it is fair to say that it’s a life that none of us will ever be able to emulate.

"He was born Prince Christian William Ferdinand Adolf George of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glucksburg.

"A challenge for the registrar but also a challenge for anyone born into such a position.

“For many members of royal families their lives are mapped out for them from the moment they draw their first breath.

"That’s an onerous situation that at times will be offset by a life of privilege and fortune, but these people are human beings with all the frailties that we all possess.

"Like most modern day royals he made some serious gaffes and seemed unrepentant when he did.

"It’s not a life I would choose for anyone.

"I don’t for one minute think it was an easy one.

"It was complex, demanding and at the same time totally removed from anything approaching ‘normal’.

"Having said that the loss of a loved one is always difficult and I would imagine his family would want time and space to grieve his passing without turning their personal loss into maudlin media event.”

The ceremonial royal funeral for the Duke will be at 3pm on Saturday.

It will be televised, with a minute's silence held nationwide in Prince Philip's memory.