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| Ex-Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown dies aged 77 | Ex-Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown dies aged 77 |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former Liberal Democrats leader Paddy Ashdown has died aged 77 following a short illness, a party spokesperson has said. | Former Liberal Democrats leader Paddy Ashdown has died aged 77 following a short illness, a party spokesperson has said. |
| The former MP for Yeovil "made an immeasurable contribution to furthering the cause of liberalism" and would be "desperately missed", a statement said. | |
| Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said it was "a hugely sad day" for the party. | |
| Lord Ashdown was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October. | Lord Ashdown was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October. |
| The longest serving leader of the Lib Dems in its history, Lord Ashdown led the party between 1988 and 1999, when it became a growing force in UK politics. | |
| Former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said Lord Ashdown was "the most heartfelt person I have known". | |
| "Paddy was the reason I entered politics," he said. | |
| "He was the reason I became a liberal. And he became a lifelong mentor, friend and guide." | |
| Former Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said: "Paddy Ashdown was a hero to me, he saved and revived the Liberal Democrats at our lowest ebb, and then led us to our best result for 70 years. | |
| "As a movement, we owe him our very existence." |