A daily newspaper’s chief reporter, who earned the nickname ‘Porridge’ after being jailed for refusing to reveal a contact’s name, has died aged 76.

Tributes have been paid to Gordon Airs, who colleagues say set “the gold standard for every journalist”.

Born in 1938 in Edinburgh, Gordon began his career as copy boy at the Edinburgh Evening Dispatch before joining the Daily Record’s operation in the city.

In 1970 Gordon, pictured below, transferred to Glasgow to become the Record’s chief reporter, a role he held until taking early retirement in 1994.

During the 1975 trial of seven members of the Army of the Provisional ­Government of Scotland, he repeatedly refused to reveal the name of his contact in the ­organisation.

A High Court judge jailed him for contempt of court and Gordon spent the night locked up with a takeaway and a bottle of wine delivered to his cell. He was later fined £500.

His former news editor Malcolm Speed said: “Gordon will be remembered for going to cells rather than break his word.

“That is the gold standard for every journalist.

“He was just one of the best reporters. It was me who christened him Porridge when he was applauded into the office that day.”

Anna Smith, his successor as chief reporter at the newspaper, added: “I had to walk in his footsteps and his title, a task that kept me awake for the first six angst-filled months.

“Gordon supported me, always encouraging, yet quick to point out if I was wrong.

“He travelled the world and often came to my house in Ireland in his Morgan sports car.

“Journalism is the richer for the contribution of Gordon Airs. We’re the poorer for his passing.”

Gordon passed away on Saturday after fighting cancer.

He is survived by ex-wives Monty and Maggie, to whom he remained close following their respective divorces; and his children Kevin, a journalist living in Australia, and Kirstin.