From the archive: Nation mourns for Scotland’s First Minister, 12 October, 2000

The Queen, the Prime Minister and the Prince of Wales joined in a wave of tributes paid to Mr Dewar from all sections of life and across the political divide throughout Britain and beyond. David Whitton, the First Minister’s special adviser, delivered the news of Mr Dewar’s death at an emotional press conference at the hospital. Mr Whitton, his voice breaking, said: “It is with deep sadness and regret I have to report that Scotland’s First Minister, Donald Dewar, has died.” His death at 63 shocked his Scottish Labour colleagues, who must now choose a successor. A behind-the-scenes deal to anoint Henry McLeish, the enterprise and lifelong learning minister, without an election was privately rejected by supporters of Jack McConnell, finance minister, who is expected to contest the leadership.