Former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling dies aged 70

Politicians from all parties have paid tribute to the former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling – who has died three years after being diagnosed with cancer.

As Chancellor of the Exchequer he led the operation to bail out Britain’s banking system as it teetered on the edge of collapse in the 2008 financial crisis.

He went on to lead the successful campaign to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom in the 2014 referendum.

Warning: This report contains flash photography.