The pride flag will be flown at half mast over St Andrew's House today in memory of those killed in the Orlando massacre.

Fifty people died and 57 were injured, most of them critically, when Omar Mateen opened fire at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Nicola Sturgeon tweeted this morning to say that the flag would be flown at half mast over the Scottish Government headquarters as a mark of respect.

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She tweeted: "The #Pride flag will fly at half mast over @scotgov HQ today in memory of those whose lives were taken in #Orlando. #lovewins."

The move has been praised social media users, who said it was 'a wonderful gesture'.

More than 300 people were inside the nightclub when Mr Mateen opened fire in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Glasgow Times:

The killer, who also held hostages in a three-hour stand-off, died in a gunfight with Swat officers after they stormed the building. He had mortally wounded at least 50 victims and injured dozens more.

Officials said 39 people died in the venue and 11 at hospitals in the city.

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According to reports the body builder telephoned police and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State before he opened fire on the crowds with an assault rifle and handgun.

The caliphate has since claimed responsibility for the attacks described by President Barack Obama as an "act of hate".

Glasgow Times:

Mr Mateen was known to the FBI after making inflammatory comments made to co-workers about extremism in 2013. He was questioned twice and investigated again in 2014 over potential links to an American suicide bomber, but the probe was dropped after he was deemed to be low-risk.

However he was not under surveillance and the FBI said he had legally purchased two firearms within the last week.