Tributes to SNP stalwart Allison Hunter who dies aged 71 24 July 2013 Last updated at 13:15 SNP leader Alex Salmond has paid tribute to the party's former national organiser Allison Hunter who has died, aged 71, after a battle with cancer. He said the former SNP group leader on Glasgow City Council was a "party stalwart and much-loved person." SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon said she owed Mrs Hunter "an enormous debt of gratitude" for her help and advice. Cllr Hunter was elected to Glasgow City Council in 2007 and was one of the representatives for Govan. She was a member of the SNP for about 40 years and served as the SNP group leader on the council from 2011 to 2012. Leading the tributes to the former school teacher, Mr Salmond said: "Allison will be sorely missed, not just by her countless friends in the SNP but right across the political spectrum." Glasgow Lord Provost, Cllr Sadie Docherty, said: "Allison was utterly committed to Glasgow and to Govan, and while she took her duties as leader of the opposition very seriously she knew when to reach across party lines to further the city's interests." Cllr Hunter is survived by her husband Ian, her sister Anne, her children Fiona, Mhairi and Roy and her grandchildren Kathleen and Andrew. A date for a by-election for the Govan ward will be announced following her funeral.