A SENIOR manager at Scotland's biggest council has been found dead outside a shopping centre.

The body of John Morrison was discovered in Glasgow's Argyle Street in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The 50-year-old, who was legal manager at Glasgow City Council and is a former leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, was found unconscious near to the city's St Enoch Centre at around 12.40am.

He was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but later died.

Annemarie O'Donnell, Glasgow City Council's executive director of Corporate Services, said: "This is a real loss for Glasgow which will be felt right across the council family.

"Our thoughts are with John's partner and family at this really difficult time."

An investigation is under way and a Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said the death was unexplained.

A post mortem will be carried out to determine how he died.

Mr Morrison had worked in Glasgow City Council's legal department since around 1990.He was LibDem leader of East Dunbartonshire Council from 2003 to 2007.