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Charles Kennedy, former Liberal Democrat leader, dies aged 55 Charles Kennedy, former Liberal Democrat leader, dies aged 55
(35 minutes later)
Former Liberal Democrat Party leader Charles Kennedy has died at his home in Scotland aged 55, his family has said. Former Liberal Democrat Party leader Charles Kennedy has died at his home in Fort William aged 55.
The Scottish ex-MP's death was not believed to be suspicious and the cause of death has yet to be confirmed. His family said they were devastated to lose a "fine man and loving father". No cause of death has been given but police said it was not suspicious.
Mr Kennedy, who led his party from 1999 to 2006, lost his seat in the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency in last month's general election. Mr Kennedy, who led his party from 1999 to 2006, lost his seat last month.
His family said they felt an "enormous sense of shock" and paid tribute to a fine man and talented politician. Politicians including Nick Clegg and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have been paying tribute, calling him "one of the most talented politicians".
They said Mr Kennedy died at home in Fort William on Monday and said they were "devastated". 'Great sadness'
A post-mortem is due to take place. Mr Clegg, who resigned as Liberal Democrat leader last month, said: "Charles devoted his life to public service, yet he had an unusual gift for speaking about politics with humour and humility which touched people well beyond the world of politics.
An MP since 1983, Mr Kennedy took over the Liberal Democrat leadership from Paddy Ashdown in 1999.
He led the party to its best election result since the 1920s in 2005, when the Lib Dems won 62 seats.
In January 2006 he said he had been receiving treatment for an alcohol problem and resigned as leader.
'Talented politician'
Former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said Mr Kennedy was one of the "most gifted politicians of his generation".
"Charles devoted his life to public service, yet he had an unusual gift for speaking about politics with humour and humility which touched people well beyond the world of politics," he said in a statement.
"He was one of the most gentle and unflappable politicians I have ever known, yet he was immensely courageous too not least when he spoke for the country against the invasion of Iraq.""He was one of the most gentle and unflappable politicians I have ever known, yet he was immensely courageous too not least when he spoke for the country against the invasion of Iraq."
And Mr Ashdown paid tribute to the politician and tweeted: "Charles Kennedy. In a political age not overburdened with gaiety and good sense, he brought us wit, charm, judgement, principle and decency." Mr Kennedy's family said in a statement: "It is with great sadness, and an enormous sense of shock, that we announce the death of Charles Kennedy.
"We are obviously devastated at the loss. Charles was a fine man, a talented politician, and a loving father to his young son."
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Police officers attended an address at Fort William on Monday, June 1 to reports of the sudden death of a 55-year-old man. Police were notified by ambulance service personnel. There are no suspicious circumstances."
'Dreadful news'
Mr Kennedy's political career began in the Social Democratic Party and he became the youngest MP of the time at the age of 23 when he won the Ross, Cromarty and Skye seat in 1983.
At first he was SDP spokesman on social security, Scotland and health and when most of his party merged with the Liberals to form the Lib Dems in 1988, he continued to hold a series of frontbench posts.
He took over the Liberal Democrat leadership from Paddy Ashdown in 1999 and led the party to its best election result since the 1920s in 2005, when the Lib Dems won 62 seats.
In January 2006 he said he had been receiving treatment for an alcohol problem and resigned as leader.
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Sad beyond words to hear the news about Charlie Kennedy. A lovely man and one of the most talented politicians of his time. Gone too soon."Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: "Sad beyond words to hear the news about Charlie Kennedy. A lovely man and one of the most talented politicians of his time. Gone too soon."
"He had his demons, we all have our demons, but on form and when he was on song Charles was the best of all of us," Lord Ashdown told the BBC.
"It has been a very difficult time for him, he lost his seat, at the beginning of the election campaign he lost his father.
"He was, I think, a person who maybe characterised a different and more welcome political age when politicians generally spoke the language of ordinary people and stuck to the things they believed in… which is why he was so popular."
SNP's Ian Blackford, who won Mr Kennedy's seat in last month's election, tweeted: "So sorry to hear the dreadful news that Charles Kennedy had passed away.SNP's Ian Blackford, who won Mr Kennedy's seat in last month's election, tweeted: "So sorry to hear the dreadful news that Charles Kennedy had passed away.
"A man of such great ability, such a tragedy he has passed away. RIP.""A man of such great ability, such a tragedy he has passed away. RIP."