Papers reveal Cabinet left shocked by Dewar death

A FORMER Scottish Cabinet’s “profound shock and grief” following the death of Donald Dewar 15 years ago has been revealed in newly declassified papers.

Scotland’s inaugural first minister, now remembered as the founding father of devolution, died in hospital on October 11, 2000. He suffered a brain haemorrhage after falling on the steps outside his official residence the previous day.

Cabinet papers released under the 15-year rule show ministers at the time met at Edinburgh’s St Andrew’s House on the day of his death.

Among those present from the Labour/LibDem coalition were then deputy first minister Jim Wallace, in the chair; Mr Dewar’s successor as first minister Henry McLeish; and future first minister Jack McConnell.

The minutes of their meeting, released by National Records of Scotland, state: “The Cabinet expressed their profound shock and grief.”