Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who was formerly the Catholic Church's most senior cleric in the UK, has died at the age of 80.

The cardinal, who resigned as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh in 2013 after apologising for sexual misconduct, had been hurt in a recent fall.

He was being cared for in Newcastle by nuns of the Little Sisters of the Poor, and was transferred to hospital there after suffering a head injury.

His successor as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Leo Cushley, administered the last rites on Friday, the cardinal's 80th birthday.

Cushley said: 'In life, Cardinal O'Brien may have divided opinion. In death, however, I think all can be united in praying for the repose of his soul, for comfort for his grieving family and that support and solace be given to those whom he offended, hurt and let down. May he rest in peace.'

O'Brien resigned in February 2013 after three priests and a former priest made allegations of improper conduct back in the 1980s.

The cardinal initially contested the allegations but later apologised, saying his sexual conduct had 'fallen beneath the standards' expected of him.

Cardinal O'Brien's health has reportedly deteriorated since the fall last month in which he broke his collarbone and suffered a head injury.

Keith O'Brien was born in 1938 in Ballycastle, County Antrim.

He was educated in Scotland, attending St Patrick's High School in Dumbarton, Holy Cross Academy in Edinburgh and Edinburgh University before attending St Andrew's College in Drygrange.

O'Brien was ordained as a priest in April 1965, and his first post as an assistant priest was at Holy Cross in Edinburgh.

He was ordained as Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh in 1985, becoming a cardinal in 2003.

As he retired from public life, O'Brien said: 'I wish to take this opportunity to admit that there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal. To those I have offended, I apologise and ask forgiveness.

'To the Catholic Church and people of Scotland, I also apologise. I will now spend the rest of my life in retirement. I will play no further part in the public life of the Catholic Church in Scotland.'

Pope Francis accepted his resignation and stated that Cardinal O'Brien would not take part in future papal elections, act as papal adviser, or take part in Vatican congregations and councils.