First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pays emotional tribute to Edinburgh boy killed in crash

The First Minister expressed her sympathy at FMQs today

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today paid an emotional tribute to the family and loved ones of Xander Irvine, the three-year-old who was killed in a tragic crash at Morningside Road on Tuesday June 30.

At FMQs on Thursday, Co-leader of the Scottish Green Party Alison Johnstone invited Ms Sturgeon to express sympathy and support for Xander’s family and friends ahead of her questioning.

Ms Johnstone said: “I’m sure that this Parliament will wish to send its sincerest sympathies to the family and friends of three year old Xander Irvine, whose funeral took place in Edinburgh this morning.

“The huge number of people who turned out on Morningside Road this morning to pay their respects is testament to the love that the community has to Xander and his family. He will never be forgotten.”

Ms Sturgeon responded: “Can I first of all associate myself completely with Alison Johnstone’s comments about the tragic death of little Xander Irvine

“None of us in this chamber I don’t think can come close to understanding the heartbreak and devastation his parents are suffering right now.

“I saw on social media the pictures of people lining the streets for his funeral this morning and I just think all of us really struggle to find the words to convey the sense of sympathy we feel for everybody who loved the little boy and I’m sure the thoughts of everybody across the chamber are with his family today and for a long time to come.”

Hundreds of mourners lined Morningside Road this morning to say goodbye to three-year-old Xander who was killed in a crash in Morningside last week ahead of his private funeral at Morningside Cemetery.

While out for a walk last week, Xander and his 37-year-old mother Victoria were both struck by a car which mounted the pavement and crashed into a shop front.