Robin Cook, Britain's former foreign minister, has died after collapsing while walking on a mountain in Scotland. He was 59. It is believed he suffered a heart attack.

Cook served as foreign minister in the first Labour government from 1997 to 2001 and was leader of the House of Commons until March 2003 when he resigned in protest at Britain's support for the US-led invasion of Iraq.

While remaining loyal to Labour, he was an acerbic critic of its foreign policy, particularly in relation to Iraq. Cook, a Scot, was regarded as one of the finest political debaters of his generation.

As foreign minister he pledged to introduce an "ethical dimension" to foreign policy, and played a leading role in NATO's campaign to force Serbian troops out of Kosovo in 1999.

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Robin Cook. Cook. (AFP)