Jack McConnell, flanked by the late Robin Cook and Donald Dewar, played a key role in Labour's '97 election victory

Jack McConnell was appointed finance minister in Donald Dewar's first Scottish cabinet

Mr McConnell lost his bid to lead Scottish Labour to Henry McLeish after Mr Dewar's death in 2000

Pictured with Bridget, he admitted to an affair in 2001 before his successful bid to become Scottish Labour leader

Mr McConnell said the cost of Holyrood, officially opened in 2004, was devolution's biggest disappointment

He was shoulder to shoulder with US President George Bush when the G8 summit came to Scotland

Jack McConnell secured his political legacy with the introduction of Scotland's public smoking ban

Mr McConnell campaigned closely in Scotland with Gordon Brown and Tony Blair

Improving the outlook for Scotland's youngsters has been one of Mr McConnell's key aims.

Mr McConnell spent more than five years at the top of Scotland's political tree

Mr McConnell was ultimately ousted as first minister by the SNP's Alex Salmond this year