A MAN is due to appear in court today in connection with the death of a former council leader who was found unconscious in Glasgow city centre.
John Morrison, a former Liberal Democrat leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, was discovered in the city's Argyle Street in the early hours of Saturday.
Police said Mr Morrison, who was a legal manager at Glasgow City Council, had been the victim of an assault.
They said a 25-year-old man had been arrested and a report sent to the procurator-fiscal.
Mr Morrison, 50, from Milngavie, was found unconscious near the city's St Enoch Centre at around 12.40am.
Emergency services were called to the scene, near the Debenhams entrance of the centre, after receiving reports of a man being injured.
He was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but later died.
A post-mortem examination has been carried out, but it proved inconclusive and the exact cause of death is yet to be established.
Officers have been conducting inquiries and gathering images from CCTV.
Mr Morrison, who was in a long-term relationship with his partner David Evans, had worked in Glasgow City Council's legal department since around 1990. He was LibDem leader of East Dunbartonshire Council from 2003 to 2007. Colleagues and politicians last night paid tribute to him.
Former LibDem Party leader and MP Charles Kennedy said: "This shockingly sad news sees the sudden passing of a great character and a memorable personality within the party.
"I first became friends with John at Glasgow University and was pleased when he succeeded me there as chairman of the Social Democrats in university union debating.
"He went on to make his mark both in the law and local government. It was a great pity that he was never able to deploy his talents at Holyrood.
"Our thoughts go out to his family at this time of such acute distress."
Annemarie O'Donnell, Glasgow City Council's executive director of Corporate Services, said his death would be felt across the local authority.
She 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."
East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson called Mr Morrison's death a tragic loss. She said: "This is shocking news and my heart goes out to John's partner, family and friends.
"John was a skillful debater and effective leader of East Dunbartonshire Council.
"He dedicated decades of his life to public service, both in elected politics and at Glasgow City Council."
Deputy leader of the Scottish LibDems Alistair Carmichael said: "John Morrison's sudden and tragic death has shocked all those who knew him.
"For me, he was not just a political colleague but a close friend whom I had first met when we were both students at Glasgow University.
"My sadness today is lifted only by many happy memories I shall always have of the fun times we shared. I am sure that this will be true of John's many friends today. My thoughts are with his partner David, his daughter Kirsty and the rest of his family."
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