The country is united in its condolence for Gordon and Sarah Brown whose 10-day-old daughter died yesterday.

Jennifer Jane died peacefully in her parents' arms at 5.20pm after she suffered a brain haemorrhage on Friday, a spokesman for the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh said.

Tony Blair was given the sad news during his visit to British troops in Kabul.

"I feel so desperately sorry for Gordon and Sarah. I know how much Gordon was looking forward to being a father. I know how proud they both were of Jennifer Jane and I know what wonderful parents they would have been to her. I'm afraid there's very little that anyone can say of comfort at such a time, with such a tragedy, but I hope it is of some comfort to them that I know everyone in our country will be thinking of them at this time and keeping them in their prayers," he said.

The leaders of other political parties also sent messages of sympathy to the couple.