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Charles Kennedy dies, aged 55

A file AFP picture taken on April 19, 2005, shows former British Liberal Democrat Party Leader Charles Kennedy during a press conference in London.

Charles Kennedy, former leader of the Liberal Democrats, has died at his Scottish home aged 55.

No cause of death has been made public but police are not treating it as suspicious. His family has issued a statement, saying they were “devastated to lose a fine man and a loving father.”

Tributes have been pouring in to Mr. Kennedy, a greatly respected and widely popular man. He had been the leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1999-2006, leading them to their best election result since the 1920s in 2005, gaining 62 seats.

He was a staunch opponent of the Iraq war launched by former Prime Minister Tony Blair with the backing of the Tories. At the time, Mr. Kennedy faced great hostility within the House of Commons but stood by his convictions and opposed the invasion.

He was forced to resign the party leadership in 2006 due to problems with alcohol, ushering in the era of Nick Clegg. Mr. Kennedy did not approve of Clegg’s coalition with the Tories and believed they were giving up their place as the party of the centre-left and that they would pay the price.

Mr Kennedy’s predecessor Paddy Ashdown reacted to his sudden death by saying 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…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 characterized 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."

Tributes ranging from Tony Blair to David Cameron have praised Charles Kennedy not only for his ability as a politician but as a kind and generous man.

LM/HA


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