Cook died of hypertensive heart disease

Former British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook died of hypertensive heart disease, the Crown Office said today.

The announcment followed a post-mortem examination at the Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Mr Cook, 59, collapsed while walking in the Highlands on Saturday and was pronounced dead after being airlifted to hospital.

A Crown Office statement said: “The procurator fiscal for Tain and Dornoch can confirm that a post-mortem examination following the death of Robin Cook MP has established the cause of death as hypertensive heart disease.

“Next of kin has been informed of the cause of death, and a death certificate has now been issued.”