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Family and friends gather for Charles Kennedy funeral Family and friends gather for Charles Kennedy funeral
(about 2 hours later)
Family, friends and political colleagues are gathering in the Highlands for the funeral of Charles Kennedy in Caol, near Fort William.Family, friends and political colleagues are gathering in the Highlands for the funeral of Charles Kennedy in Caol, near Fort William.
The former Liberal Democrat leader died at his home in Fort William last week at the age of 55 after suffering a major haemorrhage caused by alcoholism.The former Liberal Democrat leader died at his home in Fort William last week at the age of 55 after suffering a major haemorrhage caused by alcoholism.
The funeral mass was due to begin at midday on Friday at St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic church, where 14 children from St Columba’s primary school, which Kennedy attended as a child, will sing a psalm.The funeral mass was due to begin at midday on Friday at St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic church, where 14 children from St Columba’s primary school, which Kennedy attended as a child, will sing a psalm.
The politician’s death, three weeks after he lost the parliamentary seat of Ross, Skye and Lochaber, which he had held for 32 years, stunned the political establishment.The politician’s death, three weeks after he lost the parliamentary seat of Ross, Skye and Lochaber, which he had held for 32 years, stunned the political establishment.
Candy Piercy, a close friend and adviser who worked with Kennedy on his final election campaign, said she expected the voters of Fort William to turn out in force for the service.Candy Piercy, a close friend and adviser who worked with Kennedy on his final election campaign, said she expected the voters of Fort William to turn out in force for the service.
Monsignor James MacNeil said the requiem mass would be a “deep moment for the family and for the community in which Charles worshipped – an expression of our faith”.
He said he always remembered his encounters with Kennedy, who regularly attended St John’s, and the local community felt a sense of solidarity in grieving over his loss.
“He was their brother,” he said. “I wonder how Charles Kennedy will be remembered. Will he be remembered as the honest politician he was, the man who behaved with integrity?
“Or I’m inclined to think, don’t underestimate the authority of the person who suffers, the command he has, the respect and the compassion and the strength he gives to others. That’s the way I think I will remember him, as the big human being who trusted God.”