FORMER Dumfries and Galloway constituency MP Sir Alister Jack was formally knighted at an investiture at Buckingham Palace recently.
The businessman and farmer who lives near Lockerbie, received the accolade from The Princess Royal at a ceremony in the Throne Room.
He was accompanied by his wife, Lady Ann, and their three grown up children Emily, Alice and Will.
The knighthood was conferred as part of this year’s Dissolution Honours List in recognition of Sir Alister’s contribution to political and public service.
He served two terms at Westminster, winning the Dumfries and Galloway seat for the Conservatives in both the 2017 and 2019 general elections.
During his time in the House of Commons, Sir Alister served on the Treasury Select Committee, then in the Whips’ Office and for five years in the UK Cabinet as Secretary of State for Scotland.
He stepped down, as he had planned, after completing his second term and was followed as his party’s candidate by the current Dumfries and Galloway MP John Cooper.
Reflecting on the ceremony, Sir Alister said: “It was a very special day for me and my family. As I said when the announcement was made in July, I am incredibly honoured to receive this Knighthood after seven wonderful years as an MP and five as Secretary of State for Scotland.
“I was delighted that Ann and the children were able to be by my side to share this memorable occasion.”
SPECIAL DAY . . . the Jack family pictured after the Palace investiture, left to right: Alice Brooke, Captain Will Jack, Lady Ann Jack DL, Sir Alister Jack KBE DL and Baroness Emily Sweerts de Landas
