Scotland sends its condolences

Messages of condolence have been sent to the Browns

Politicians north of the border have sent their messages of condolence to Chancellor Gordon Brown and his wife, Sarah, after the death of their 10-day-old daughter.

Jennifer Jane died on Monday evening at the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion in Edinburgh.

Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell, said: "This is an absolute tragedy.

"Every parent, every person in Scotland, will share and understand the pain and sorrow that Gordon and Sarah will be feeling at this time, and will join me in sending heartfelt condolences to them."

Jack McConnell: "An absolute tragedy"

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney said: "This is terribly sad news for Gordon and Sarah Brown and the family.

"They will have had such a short time with their daughter and none of us will truly understand the depth of their loss."

Jim Wallace, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the deputy first minister, said: "On behalf of my colleagues I wish to express my heartfelt sympathy to the Brown family at this difficult time.

"Everyone in Scotland will share in this terrible sadness."

'Devastating news'

The 10-day-old baby was transferred from Forth Park Maternity Hospital on Friday after tests picked up what doctors called "cause for concern".

A family spokesman said her condition deteriorated on Sunday.

Staff at the specialist neo-natal unit at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary said at the time that Jennifer Jane had suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Former Scottish First Minister, Henry McLeish, said he and his wife Julie were "devastated" by the news.

"It is terrible news and a sad, sad, tragic event," he said.

David McLetchie: "Every parent's nightmare"

"Our thoughts are with Sarah and Gordon tonight. They must be going through unimaginable anguish at their tragic loss."

"I saw Gordon and Sarah last week, after the birth, and I have never seen Gordon and his wife so happy.

"A new era was opening up for the Chancellor, and this makes the sad, sad news all the more difficult to accept."

Alex Salmond, leader of the Scottish National Party's MPs at Westminster, said: "This is terribly sad and shocking news.

"The brief life of Jennifer Brown touched the nation, and our thoughts are with Gordon and Sarah Brown tonight."

'Grieve in private'

David McLetchie, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said the Browns had suffered "every parent's nightmare".

"It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of baby Jennifer. Our thoughts are with Gordon and Sarah.

"It is every parent's nightmare to lose a precious child, to experience such a tragedy, and the full glare of the media can only add to the agony.

"We hope that Gordon, Sarah and their families can now be given the time and peace they need to grieve in private."

Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell offered her sympathy.

"This is heartbreaking news. Baby Jennifer may have only known her parents for only a short time but she will have changed their lives forever."