08/08/2005

Robin Cook – post-mortem to take place

A post-mortem is to take place on Monday to determine the cause of death of former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, who died on Saturday.

Mr Cook, 59, was on a walking holiday with his wife, Gaynor, 48, in the Scottish Highlands and were believed to be staying in the village of Durness.

The couple had been walking near the summit of the 2,356ft Ben Stack in Sutherland, when the Livingston MP collapsed.

It is understood that both Mrs Cook and another walker in the area attempted to revive Mr Cook before medical help arrived.

Mr Cook was airlifted to hospital by coastguard helicopter, but was pronounced dead at 16:05 BST.

The post-mortem should determine whether Mr Cook died from the illness, which caused his collapse or injuries sustained when he collapsed.

Mrs Cook went to the Raigmore Hospital in Inverness on Sunday afternoon to formally identify her husband’s body. The post-mortem is to take place at the hospital on Monday.

Prime Minister Tony Blair led the tributes of Mr Cook, describing him as “an outstanding, extraordinary talent - brilliant, incisive, a debater of incredible skill and persuasive power”, while Jack Straw, Mr Cook’s successor as Foreign Secretary, said he was “”the greatest parliamentarian of his generation and a very fine Foreign Secretary”.

Details of Mr Cook’s funeral are also expected to be announced on Monday.

(KMcA/SP)

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