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Charles Kennedy dead: Former Lib Dem leader dies aged 55 Charles Kennedy dead: Former Lib Dem leader dies aged 55
(35 minutes later)
The former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has died aged 55, his family have said.The former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has died aged 55, his family have said.
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The cause of death is yet to be confirmed but it is not believed to be suspicious.The cause of death is yet to be confirmed but it is not believed to be suspicious.
The Scottish MP lost his seat in the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency in last month's election.The Scottish MP lost his seat in the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency in last month's election.
A statement released on behalf of his family said: "It is with great sadness, and an enormous sense of shock, that we announce the death of Charles Kennedy. A statement released on behalf of his family said they were "devastated" at the loss, calling Mr Kennedy "a fine man, a talented politician, and a loving father to his young son".
"Charles died at home in Fort William yesterday. He was 55. We are obviously devastated at the loss. Police were called to his home in Fort William on Monday by paramedics to reports of the politician's "sudden death".
"Charles was a fine man, a talented politician, and a loving father to his young son. We ask therefore that the privacy of his family is respected in the coming days. A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "There are no suspicious circumstances and our report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."
"There will be a post-mortem and we will issue a further statement when funeral arrangements are made." An MP since 1983, Mr Kennedy represented Ross, Cromarty and Skye until he lost his seat to the Scottish National Party last month.
A spokesman for Police Scotland 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. Taking over from Paddy Ashdown in 1999, he led the Liberal Democrats until his resignation in 2006.
"There are no suspicious circumstances and our report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal." Additional reporting by Press Association
An MP since 1983, Mr Kennedy had previously taken the party to its best election result since the 1920s at the 2005 contest.
His political career began in the Social Democratic Party, winning the Ross, Cromarty and Skye seat to become the youngest MP of the time at the age of 24.
Taking over from Paddy Ashdown in 1999, he went on to lead the party through its most successful period.
His leadership was marked by his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which helped propel the Liberal Democrats to their best result in more than 80 years with 62 seats.
But in January 2006 - following months of rumours about his drinking - Mr Kennedy dramatically admitted he had been receiving treatment for an alcohol problem and said he was calling a leadership contest.
While he declared that he wanted to carry on he was forced to stand down in the face of the threat of mass resignations by senior colleagues.
Additional reporting my Press Association