A former MP who campaigned on a number of North Sea safety issues has died at the age of 68.
Frank Doran was first elected in 1987 – just a year before the Piper Alpha disaster killed 167 men.
He served Aberdeen South from ’87 to 1992 when he lost his seat.
Mr Doran was elected to the opposition frontbench under Neil Kinnock in 1988 as a spokesman on energy and oil and gas.
Over his career he made numerous contributions to parliament over health and safety issues affecting the offshore work.
He was re-elected in 1997, first to Aberdeen Central and then to Aberdeen North and served until stepping down in 2015.
During his second stint in office he campaigned for a judge-led inquiry into helicopter safety following the death of 16 men in the 2009 tragedy off Peterhead.
Mr Doran married fellow Labour MP Dame Joan Ruddock in 2010.
North east Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald led the tributes today.
Mr Macdonald said: “On behalf of the Scottish Labour family I would like to pay tribute to Frank, who served the city of Aberdeen with distinction as a Member of Parliament.
“His work to support the families of the Piper Alpha tragedy was so important for so many, as was his tireless campaigning for safety in the oil and gas industry during his as an MP.
“Our thoughts are with Frank’s loved ones at this time. “The Labour family in the north-east has lost a strong voice for working people.”
Oil & Gas UK chief executive Deirdre Michie also paid tribute.
She said: “We are saddened to learn of the death of the former Aberdeen MP Frank Doran. With his passing we lose a strong defender of the oil and gas industry and its workers.
“His was a highly influential voice, one that was never shy in challenging the industry, particularly in the wake of the Piper Alpha disaster as Labour’s energy spokesman between 1988-1992 or in his many years of service as treasurer of the All Party Parliamentary Group for oil and gas.
“He routinely held the industry’s safety performance to account – and helped strengthen it as a result.
“We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Joan and his family.”
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