A Scottish Government minister has promised to apologise after sharing a retired British Army general's address and phone number online.

Roseanna Cunningham, the minister for community safety, was among a number of people drawing attention to a fundraising letter sent by Lt Gen Sir Norman Arthur to drum up financial support for the Better Together campaign to keep Scotland in the UK.

The letter, including contact details, was photographed and sent on Twitter where it was quickly distributed more widely, including by Ms Cunningham.

Sir Norman, a former commanding officer in Scotland, said he was worried that the actions would put his safety at risk.

"We have already witnessed regrettable incidents where this passion has boiled over into unacceptable personal attacks against property," he said.

"I have no wish for my family and me to be subjected to either."

He complained to the Scottish Government and demanded an apology.

A Government spokesman said: "We have received correspondence from Sir Norman Arthur and will respond in due course."

A spokesman for Roseanna Cunningham said: "This was a round-robin letter, which had already been widely circulated by others on Twitter.

"However, Ms Cunningham will write to Lt Gen Arthur to apologise for any inadvertent distress caused."

Sir Norman, whose address and phone number are available elsewhere, had written speculatively to other people listed in Who's Who.

He wrote: "We have to win convincingly the vote on the 18th September, but, currently, the polls convey a timely warning. If the vote is lost, Scotland becomes a foreign country. There is no issue today more important for us all."

He said people should not forget "how fully the blood of us all is mixed" or "how freely it has flowed" in war.