By Steve Bargeton, political editor, Dave Lord and Lars Niven

FIFE WAS LAST night mourning the deaths of two more Black Watch soldiers in Iraq.

One of them was a constituent of Prime Minister Gordon Brown—MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath—and died on the new leader’s first full day in office.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said, “The death of any British soldier on active duty is a matter of deepest regret and the Prime Minister sends his deepest sympathies to the families concerned.”

At Holyrood yesterday, MSPs of all parties united to express their sympathies for the families and loved-ones of the young men who lost their lives.

First Minister Alex Salmond said, “I offer my sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved-ones and suffered such heartbreak.

“The two Scots soldiers were both Fifers and served with the 3rd Battalion of the new Royal Regiment of Scotland, formerly the proud Black Watch regiment.

“The Black Watch recruits from very close-knit communities, and many, many people will be touched with this sadness.

“It is particularly poignant as performances of the award-winning Black Watch play will form part of the opening ceremony of the Scots Parliament today and tomorrow, at which Black Watch veterans will be present.”

Dunfermline East MSP Helen Eadie said, “On behalf of all of the constituents in Dunfermline East I shall be writing today to send profound condolences to the parents and grandparents of Private Jamie Kerr.

“Our prayers are with them and in our hearts.

“We feel for them in the loss of their loved-one at a time when their grief will be inconsolable.”

Dunfermline West MSP Jim Tolson, whose constituency covers Oakley, said, “I am extremely sorry to hear that another one of the casualties of Iraq is from my constituency.

“My sincere condolences go to his family and friends. It is a great tragedy for the whole community.”

Willie Rennie, the MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, told The Courier, “This is shocking news.

“I really feel for the families of the soldiers involved.

“The families can know that they have served their country well.”

Other Fife MSPs spoke of their sadness at the news.

Central Fife MSP Tricia Marwick said, “As a Fife MSP I am absolutely devastated at the loss of more of our young men in Iraq.

“My sympathies go to the families at this time who will be suffering greatly.”

Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP John Park said, “When I was growing up it was often a choice between the dockyards or the services.

“People in Fife are proud of the job our soldiers are doing and it is always tragic when there are losses.”

Fellow Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker said, “We have already experienced losses from families in Fife.

“It is a tragedy to hear of more losses and our sympathies go to the families.”

Fife provost Frances Melville said, “We are deeply saddened by today’s news.

“On behalf of Fife Council we issue our deepest condolences to the men, their families, friends and comrades following the ultimate sacrifice they have made for their country.

“As a mark of respect the flag on Fife House has been lowered to half-mast and will remain so over the weekend.”

The Black Watch regimental headquarters is in the constituency of Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart.

He said, “This is another appalling and tragic incident in Iraq and my heart goes out to the families involved.

“I would just like to see the all the Scottish troops returned home as soon as possible and an end to the growing list of young men dying in Iraq.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Nicol Stephen said, “I send my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the soldiers killed by this roadside bomb.

“They were professionals doing an important job with dedication and bravery.”

Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham, a long-term opponent of the war in Iraq, said, “This is very sad news indeed.

“My thoughts are very much with the loved ones, family and friends of the soldiers who have been killed.

“The Black Watch does the job it is instructed to do and it does it very well indeed but the sooner troops are brought home the better, as far as I am concerned.”

Perth and Kinross’ provost, John Hulbert, expressed his “deep sorrow.”

“On behalf of the council I would extend my deepest condolences to the families of the two soldiers at this extremely difficult time,” he said.

“Our sympathies are very much with them.”