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| Charles Kennedy death: Welsh tributes to ex-Lib Dem leader | Charles Kennedy death: Welsh tributes to ex-Lib Dem leader |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Tributes have been paid in Wales to the former leader of the Liberal Democrats Charles Kennedy who has died in Scotland aged 55. | Tributes have been paid in Wales to the former leader of the Liberal Democrats Charles Kennedy who has died in Scotland aged 55. |
| The Scottish ex-MP's death was not believed to be suspicious and the cause of death has yet to be confirmed. | The Scottish ex-MP's death was not believed to be suspicious and the cause of death has yet to be confirmed. |
| Former Lib Dem MP for Montgomeryshire Lembit Opik has said Mr Kennedy was "one of a kind". | Former Lib Dem MP for Montgomeryshire Lembit Opik has said Mr Kennedy was "one of a kind". |
| "A gentle soul who never really coped with the pressures of an abrasive career. Heartbreaking news," he said. | "A gentle soul who never really coped with the pressures of an abrasive career. Heartbreaking news," he said. |
| Former leader of the Lib Dems in Wales Lord German called Mr Kennedy's death a "hammer blow". | |
| "Charles was such a mainstay of the party... He was a towering figure in the party," he said. | |
| "There was a brilliant mind who knew and sensed a political direction and who knew where the party had to go. | |
| 'Unusual gift' | |
| "This must be devastating for his family." | |
| BBC Wales' parliamentary correspondent David Cornock added, Mr Kennedy was a man who had "an unusual gift" for speaking about politics "with humour and humility". | |
| He said Mr Kennedy was the sort of person who showed a "genuine interest in people". | |
| 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 in the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency in last month's general election. |
| BBC Wales' Welsh Affairs editor Vaughan Roderick tweeted: "Sad to hear about Charles Kennedy's death - a fine man who could have been so much more." | BBC Wales' Welsh Affairs editor Vaughan Roderick tweeted: "Sad to hear about Charles Kennedy's death - a fine man who could have been so much more." |
| His family said they felt an "enormous sense of shock" and paid tribute to a fine man and talented politician. | His family said they felt an "enormous sense of shock" and paid tribute to a fine man and talented politician. |
| They said Mr Kennedy died at home in Fort William on Monday and said they were "devastated". | They said Mr Kennedy died at home in Fort William on Monday and said they were "devastated". |