FORMER Labour MSP Tom McCabe has died at the age of 60 following a short-term illness.

Mr McCabe joined the Scottish Parliament during the first election to Holyrood in 1999 and served on the front bench in a number of posts, including Finance Minister under Jack McConnell.

His Hamilton South constituency declared the result just over an hour after polls closed, making him the first MSP to be elected to Holyrood.

He left the Scottish Parliament in 2011, losing his seat to Christina McKelvie of the SNP in the newly formed Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency.

Mr McCabe became a father for the third time six years ago when he and his second wife had a daughter. He has two grown up children from his first marriage.

Scottish Labour Leader Jim Murphy led tributes to the former MSP, saying: "The thoughts and prayers of everybody in the Scottish Labour movement are with Tom McCabe's family today. That he has died at such a relatively young age and with so much still to give makes it harder to understand and accept.

"Tom McCabe was a good man. He was a dedicated servant of the Labour movement, and was a radical Finance Minister in the last Scottish Labour Government."

He added: "I always enjoyed Tom's company - except on the golf course, where I could never beat him. The dignity he showed in his final few months should act as an inspiration to us all. He will be hugely missed."

Labour's Margaret Curran also took to Twitter to offer her condolences.

She wrote: "Very sad news about Tom McCabe he was very good to me over the years and will be missed greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Tributes to Ms McCabe were made across the political divide. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to the former MSP, saying: "Very sad to hear of the death of former Labour MSP, Tom McCabe. He was a genuinely good guy. My thoughts are with his wife and family."

John Swinney added: "Terribly sorry to hear about Tom McCabe. Finance Minister before me, he gave me wise advice that I followed. My sympathy to his family.

The Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick said: "I am so sad to hear the news of Tom's passing.

"He was devoted to his family, in particular to his wee daughter Ava. His joy when she was born and his delight in watching her grow was apparent to all around him.

"We worked closely together on the Parliamentary bureau in the early days of the Parliament and then again when we were both elected to the Corporate Body.

"Tom made an immense contribution to the Parliament and his expertise has been sorely missed since 2011.

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said: "Sorry to hear of the death of Tom McCabe. A dedicated public servant , and a much warmer man in private than his public persona suggested."

Green leader Patrick Harvie said: "My sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Tom McCabe. So sorry to hear of this news."