Charles Kennedy dies - aged 55

Former Lib Dem leader, Chares Kennedy, has died aged just 55.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32970337

Former Liberal Democrat Party leader Charles Kennedy has died at his home in Fort William aged 55.
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 last month.
Politicians including Nick Clegg and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon have been paying tribute, calling him "one of the most talented politicians".
'Great sadness'

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.


"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."
Charles Kennedy in 2001 celebrating the best general election result for any third party at the time since 1923
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."

'A formidable politician'

By Norman Smith, BBC assistant political editor
A very gregarious outgoing friendly politician, always willing to talk and have a laugh with journalists and others.
But that shouldn't cloud the fact he was in his time a formidable politician.
We shouldn't forget that he led the Liberal Democrats to their best result in a long long time when he took a very deliberate and distinct line on the Iraq war.
That was against the prevailing consensus, with Tony Blair and Michael Howard all lining up in support of the war, but he very deliberately led the Liberal Democrats against that.

'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."
"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.
"A man of such great ability, such a tragedy he has passed away. RIP."

 

Rip seemed like one of the only trustworthy politicians. Shall be sorely missed.

 

RIP seemed a decent bloke and one of the few who stood up and opposed the gulf war

 

Was shocked hearing this. He is one of the few politicians who was trustworthy and always came across as a genuinely nice bloke.
When he lost his seat, in the GE, it was the only time that night I was actually saddened. He would have been a very good MSP.
RIP.

 

R.I.P.

 

Any indication of suicide?

 

That's sad,don't know much about him tbh,but he seemed likeable.

 

One of the few Lib Dems I still had respect for. Very sad.

 

55....* sake.

 

Sad news. Seemed one of the few establishment politicians that could hold some respect.

 

Such a shame. RIP.

No cause as of yet, wonder if his body just couldn't take it anymore, did he not suffer from alcoholism?

 

And depression. Wouldn't be a surprise if he topped himself.

 

He made a rather weird and disturbing appearance on Question Time only a few months ago, suggesting that his issues with alcohol were far from dealt with;

Poor guy. 55 is no age to go.

 

Quite liked his sense of humour, whenever I heard him speaking..

Used to see him fairly often years ago, he used to have a house in Kennington cross in south London, a minute from 2 Celtic pubs and he was on the main road, so was often cutting about locally. Not sure if that is still his, for when he had business down here or not..

Shame though, really young age to go..

 

R.I.P

seemed a true gentleman, always liked listening to him.

had his demons too, hope he is at peace now.

 

actually stopped watching that episode , was difficult to watch .
came across as a good guy .. RIP

 

Aye it was really bizarre that episode. I felt for him, was pretty degrading and sad to see how far he had degenerated.


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Always liked Charles Kennedy. Seemed like a good guy.

55 for * sake, what a shame.