Donald Dewar dies after fall

Scottish First Minister Donald Dewar has died at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital after the decision was taken to turn off his life support system.

Scottish First Minister Donald Dewar has died at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital after the decision was taken to turn off his life support system.

The decision was taken after he was visited by his son and daughter Ian and Marion. The cause of death was a brain haemorrhage.

David Whitton, Mr Dewar's spokesman said: "I am sure that everyone will agree that this is a sad day for Scotland. Scotland has lost a great man."

Mr Dewar slipped on the pavement yeaterdaywhile going to his official car outside Bute House after a Scottish Executive cabinet meeting. He later complained of feeling unwell and was seen by Colin Currie, a special adviser to Scottish health minister Susan Deacon, who called for an ambulance after conferring with casualty consultant Colin Robertson.

Mr Whitton, said: "What seems to have happened is that in the fall, although he did not bump his head, he may have damaged a blood vessel in his head, as a result of which he suffered bleeding to the head."

The person expected to assume the role of First Minister is Scottish enterprise minister Henry McLeish, followed by Scottish finance minister, Jack McConnell.