Nick Johnston (politician)

Paul Nicholas Johnston (born 5 January 1948, Filey) is a Scottish politician. He was a Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Mid Scotland and Fife region from May 1999 until August 2001.

Early life

He is the son of Joseph Leo Johnston and Winifred Vera Neale. He went to North Kesteven Grammar School in North Hykeham, Lincolnshire.

He joined the Royal Engineers and attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. From 1972 he worked in the car retail industry, becoming Group Operations Director of Eastern Western Motor Group.

Political career

He stood as a Conservative & Unionist candidate for the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and was elected for the Mid Scotland and Fife region. At the beginning of Parliament, Johnston took the oath in Catalan. In January 2001 he wrote a letter to The Times, where he expressed disillusionment with the attitude of other politicians. An absence from Parliament began in February 2001 with an episode of pneumonia and he resigned in August 2001.

His place in the Scottish Parliament was taken by Murdo Fraser.

Johnston said in December 2013 that he was in favour of a Yes vote for Scottish independence.

Personal life

He married Catherine McPhee in 1972. They divorced in 1993, having one son and two daughters. He married Anna Jiménez-Olive in 1993, and they have two sons.