Veteran Scottish politician Dennis Canavan has announced the death of his daughter, his fourth child to have died.

The former MP and MSP tweeted: "My only beloved daughter, Ruth, has passed away. She is now at peace with her dear brothers Mark, Dennis and Paul. RIP."

The tragedy is the latest to hit the family after Mr Canavan lost Paul to skin cancer aged 16 in 1989.

His son Dennis died of a brain tumour aged 35 in 2006 and the following year his oldest son Mark died aged 41 following a three-year battle with motor neurone disease.

Mr Canavan - head of the official Scottish independence campaign - has a fourth son called Adam, who is 15, and five grandchildren.

Several politicians expressed condolences to Mr Canavan on social media, including SNP depute leader Angus Robertson, former Scottish Parliament presiding officer Tricia Marwick, Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Justice Secretary Michael Matheson.