Politicians across Scotland have paid tribute to a Scottish Parliament official who died while playing rugby for Holyrood.

David Hill died on Saturday during a match in Dublin for the Scottish Parliament, his team announced.

Described as “rugby daft”, Mr Hill was the head of office for Scottish Conservative MSP and Holyrood justice spokesman Jamie Greene.

He was playing for the cross-party Holyrood team in a match against the Irish parliament’s Dail and Seanad XV team when he died.

His father, Rodger Hill, said his family is “broken” after his sudden death.

“I can’t believe I’m writing this. My amazing son David passed away today playing rugby in Dublin for the Scottish Parliament,” he tweeted.

“He was the best and the pain is unbearable. We are broken.”

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Mr Greene described Mr Hill as a “friend, colleague and confidant for so many in the Scottish Parliament over the years”.

He said Mr Hill “loved his politics, but he loved his rugby more” and the whole parliament, the Conservative Party and the “whole rugby community” is “deeply saddened”.

Scottish Parliament RFC released a photo of Mr Hill with Scottish Rugby’s head coach Gregor Townsend.

The club said Mr Hill had been “an architect of the revitalised Holyrood RFC, a great teammate and tourist and, of course, a man who loved his rugby”.

This is so terribly sad. My deepest condolences to David’s family, friends and colleagues – and of course to his @HolyroodRugby teammates who I know are all deeply shocked and heartbroken. https://t.co/3O4ZaLf2wW

Politicians from all parties paid tribute to Mr Hill, with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeting: “This is so terribly sad. My deepest condolences to David’s family, friends and colleagues.”

She said Mr Hill’s teammates are “all deeply shocked and heartbroken”.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “Our whole party is shocked and saddened by David’s tragic passing. He was a kind, generous, well-liked and highly respected part of our team.

“We will all miss him dearly. All our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Scottish Rugby said in a statement: “We are shocked and saddened by David’s passing today.

“Described as ‘rugby daft’ by his family, David played for Dumfries Saints and was a regular at Scotland internationals.

“The condolences of everyone at Scottish Rugby go out to his family and friends at this time.”

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