Tributes paid to motor neurone disease campaigner Gordon Aikman after he dies aged 31

Tributes have been paid across the political spectrum to an “inspirational” campaigner who has died after raising more than £500,000 to find a cure for motor neurone disease.

Gordon Aikman was only 29 when he was diagnosed with the terminal condition while working as director of research for the victorious Better Together campaign during the 2014 independence referendum.

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness, which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles and can mean losing the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided. There is currently no cure or effective treatment.

But Mr Aikman formed the Gordon's Fightback campaign, which raised more than half a million pounds for research, and successfully lobbied Nicola Sturgeon to double the number of MND nurses funded by the NHS in Scotland.

MSPs also backed changes to the law that will give people who are at risk of losing their voice as a result of a medical condition the right to access voice equipment on the NHS.

Mr Aikman received a British Empire Medal in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2015 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Edinburgh in the same year for his work to transform care for people with MND and his efforts to find a cure.

His death was announced on Twitter by his husband Joe Pike, a broadcaster and author, who said: “We are all heartbroken. He was my best friend, my soulmate and the love of my life."

His family said in a statement: "We are heartbroken. Gordon was beautiful, kind, funny and utterly determined. He achieved more in the few short years after his diagnosis with MND than many of us do in a lifetime.

"Gordon's campaigning and fundraising has truly inspired people, changed lives across Scotland, and we are so proud of him. We will miss him terribly."

His death prompted an outpouring of tributes to Mr Aikman, a former advisor to the Scottish Labour Party, from senior figures across the political spectrum.

Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister, said: "Gordon Aikman was so courageous and so determined to do good even when struck down by a fatal illness. His incredible efforts to help others will continue to inspire our country.

"I know that even in his last few days he was working hard to raise funds for his charity and only thinking of what more could be done to promote the cause of other sufferers.”

Tony Blair said: “He was a truly vital and remarkable man and I am proud to have known him. Gordon showed tremendous courage and determination after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

"He refused to be defeated and instead campaigned tirelessly on behalf of fellow sufferers and wrote movingly about his own experiences in dealing with this terrible disease.”

Kezia Dugdale, the Scottish Labour leader, said she felt shocked and “utterly bereft” despite knowing that Mr Aikman’s lifespan would be short.

She said: “I have lost a best friend and the world has lost a man who made it a better place. I will keep Gordon's husband Joe and all his family in my thoughts and prayers.”

Ms Sturgeon tweeted: "I'm so terribly sad to hear that @GordonAikman has died. He faced adversity with incredible courage and did so much good for others.”

Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, said: “Gordon Aikman will be remembered as an incredibly courageous and decent man who refused to give in to his illness and instead used it to do good for others.”