Leader's death stuns Scotland

By BILLY ADAMS

EDINBURGH - The sheer speed of events left a nation numb with shock.

After stumbling outside his official residence, Scotland's First Minister, Donald Dewar, dusted himself down and continued his job of running the country.

But just a few hours later he had lapsed into a coma. And the next day doctors turned off his life-support machines.

The man dubbed the father of the nation was dead, and yesterday the nation was in deep mourning at his passing.

Yesterday tributes poured in from around the world for a man who was respected across the political divide and on all sides of British life as one of the last gentlemen in politics.

The Queen was said to be shocked and saddened by his death.

"Dewar's passion for Scotland and all things Scottish was renowned and his contribution to the historic process of devolution in recent years has been immense," a Buckingham Palace spokesman said.

"Her Majesty has greatly valued his wise counsel and knows how much he will be missed."

Prime Minister Tony Blair said he had lost an irreplaceable friend.

"The Scottish Parliament is his achievement. It will be his testament and history will remember him for that," Blair said.

"Personally, I will remember him as a really good friend - funny irreverent, warm, loyal."

United States President Bill Clinton sent a message of sympathy.

The tone of most messages from around Europe was captured by European Commission President Romano Prodi.

"Besides being a highly respected statesman and parliamentarian in British politics, he was a towering figure on the Scottish political scene."

British television news programmes cleared their schedules to concentrate solely on the news.

Flags across the country flew at half mast, and Scotland's national soccer team, in Croatia for a crucial World Cup qualifying match, wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence as a mark of respect.

Books of condolence have been opened across Scotland.

Dewar was a highly popular politician of whom enemies said nice things when he was alive.

"I don't normally like politicians," said Jess Adams, a retired sales executive in his Glasgow Anniesland constituency. "As soon as they get elected they have no time for you, but Mr Dewar was an exception. He was such a gentleman."

The law dictates that a successor must be found within 28 days or Parliament will be dissolved and a general election held.

Jim Wallace, leader of Labour's coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, is Acting First Minister.

Henry McLeish, the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, is favourite to fill Dewar's shoes. The ex-footballer is seen as solid but dull.