A man is expected to appear in court today after a former council leader was found dead in Glasgow city centre.

John Morrison, a former Liberal Democrat leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, was discovered in the city's Argyle Street in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police said Mr Morrison, who was a legal manager at Glasgow City Council, had been the victim of an alleged assault.

They said a 25-year old man had been arrested and a report sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Mr Morrison, 50, from Milngavie, was found unconscious near the city's St Enoch Centre at around 12.40am.

Emergency services were called to the scene, near the Debenhams entrance of the centre, after receiving reports of a man being injured.

He was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but later died.

Mr Morrison had worked in Glasgow City Council's legal department from around 1990. He was LibDem leader of East Dunbartonshire Council from 2003 to 2007.

Former LibDem leader and MP Charles Kennedy said: "This shockingly sad news sees the sudden passing of a great character and a memorable personality within the party.

"Our thoughts go out to his family."

Annemarie O'Donnell, Glasgow City Council's executive director of Corporate Services, said: "This is a real loss for Glasgow which will be felt right across the council family.Our thoughts are with John's partner and family at this difficult time."

East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson called it a "tragic loss".

Deputy leader of the Scottish LibDems Alistair Carmichael added: "John's sudden and tragic death has shocked all who knew him.

"My thoughts are with his partner David, his daughter Kirsty and the rest of his family."

rachel.loxton@ heraldandtimes.co.uk