Stephen Maxwell: Scottish Nationalist politician

Stephen Maxwell, who died on 25 April at the age of 69, was a Scottish nationalist politician and activist who came to prominence in the 1970s when he was elected to the Lothian Regional Council at a by-election for Wester Hailes in Edinburgh as an SNP candidate.

He became a leading figure in the socialist 79 Group within the pary and stood for leader in 1980 when William Wolfe stood down as leader, finishing well behind Gordon Wilson.

Maxwell was expelled from the SNP (along with Alex Salmond, who would become SNP leader in 1990) for his activities within this group in 1981.

He was later readmitted to the party and remained committed to Scottish independence. He retired in October 2009 as Associate Director of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations.