Rolling Stones cancel tour following death of Jagger's girlfriend

The Rolling Stones have cancelled their Australia and New Zealand tour following the death of frontman Mick Jagger's partner, L'Wren Scott.

In a statement the band said: "The Rolling Stones are deeply sorry and disappointed to announce the postponement of the rest of their 14 ON FIRE tour of Australia and New Zealand following the death of L'Wren Scott.

"Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood wish to thank all of their fans for their support at this difficult time and hope that they will fully understand the reason for this announcement. The Rolling Stones are planning to reschedule these postponed shows at a later date," the legendary band said.

On Tuesday, Mick Jagger, 70, offered a touching tribute to his longtime love, fashion designer L'Wren Scott, "I am still struggling to understand how my lover and best friend could end her life in this tragic way,' the Rolling Stones frontman wrote on his website in a heartbreaking post titled 'L'Wren."

"We spent many wonderful years together and had made a great life for ourselves," he said on Scott, 49, who he had been dating since 2001 after they met when she was the stylist at a photoshoot.

Shortly after her death was announced , it emerged that her British fashion company had been losing millions of pounds. Accounts filed with Companies House in October show the company, LS Fashion Ltd, was running at a loss of more than £3.5m in 2012, up from more than £2.5m the previous year. The documents also show the firm owed more than a million pounds, despite having assets totalling a similar amount. It is understood that police do not suspect foul play.

A spokesman for Scott asked for the privacy of her family and friends to be respected. Many paid tribute as news of her death emerged. Bianca Jagger, Sir Mick's ex-wife, tweeted: "Heartbroken to learn of the loss of the lovely and talented L'Wren Scott. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. May she rest in peace."

New York City Police said she was found unconscious at her home on 11th Avenue in Manhattan "She was pronounced dead on arrival by the emergency medical services," the spokeswoman said.