City chambers: Danus McKinlay collapsed and later died
A young man who collapsed outside Glasgow City Chambers and later died is a popular Labour Party activist who was a friend of ex-council leader Steven Purcell, sources have told STV News.
Danus McKinlay, 18, was well known to many members of the Labour group.
He died at Glasgow Royal Infirmary after he was found outside the historic building on Friday afternoon. It is believed he was a diabetic.
Mr McKinlay was also an employee of Glasgow City Council.
Mr Purcell, who quit his top post this week and on Friday resigned as councillor for Blairdardie is said to be extremely distressed following the death of his friend.
A spokesman for Glasgow City Council confirmed the man worked for the council.
He said: "The man collapsed outside the city chambers and was taken to hospital where he later died.
"His family have been informed."
On his social networking site, Facebook, Mr McKinlay listed The Labour Party as one of his interests.
On Friday evening, there were already messages of condolence on another site, Twitter.
One friend said: "RIP Danus Thomas McKinlay, just 18, how very, very sad."
A Strathclyde Police spokesman said: "Police have been made aware of an 18-year-old man who took ill whilst in Glasgow city centre earlier today, Friday 5 March 2010.
"He was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but sadly died a short time later. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death, however, at this time there would appear to be no suspicious circumstances."
