Tributes paid to Charles Kennedy from across political divide

Police were called to his house yesterday after Mr Kennedy's body was found by his close friend Carole Macdonald, widow of his lifelong best friend Murdo.

The cause of is death is not yet known but it is not thought to be suspicious. It comes less than a month after Mr Kennedy, an MP for 32 years, lost his Ross, Skye and Lochaber seat amid the SNP landslide. A post mortem is now expected.

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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.

"Charles died at home in Fort William yesterday. He was 55. We are obviously devastated at the loss.

"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.

"There will be a post-mortem and we will issue a further statement when funeral arrangements are made."

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.

"There are no suspicious circumstances and our report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."

The father-of-one had been leader of the Liberal Democrats between 1999 and and January 2006 when he stood down days after admitting he had a drink problem.

Since then, Mr Kennedy engaged far less with the print media, whom many believed he felt was responsible for his fall from the party leadership.

The former Highland MP was one of the brightest political minds of his generation, whose personal warmth made him stand out from an age often seemingly dominated by machine politicians.

His personal charm and wit meant his popularity spanned the political divide and his down-to-earth ordinariness endeared him to voters not just in Scotland but across the UK.

His ability to connect with the public meant he was a popular choice on political and entertainment TV programmes. This earned him the label "chat show Charlie".

His political career began in the Social Democratic Party, winning the Ross, Cromarty and Skye seat in 1983 to become the youngest MP of the time at the age of 24.

He took over as leader from Paddy Ashdown in 1999 and carved out a distinctive voice on the Left of politics.

He became one of the most vocal critics of the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

In the 2005 general election he took the party to what was then one of its best general election results, winning 62 seats.

But just months later, 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 had initially 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.

After the 2010 General Election, Mr Kennedy was the only prominent Liberal Democrat voice at Westminster, arguing against his party getting into government with the Conservatives.

During last year's independence referendum, the ex-MP made several high profile interventions, arguing forcefully for the Union.

Staunchly pro-European, it had been expected the former party leader would have played a prominent role in the forthcoming EU referendum.

Mr Clegg led tributes to his predecessor as Liberal Democrat leader, saying: "Charles's untimely death robs Britain of one of the most gifted politicians of his generation.

"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 a staunch internationalist and passionate believer in Britain's role in Europe, yet he was a proud Highlander, Scot and British parliamentarian.

"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.

"He led the Liberal Democrats to our party's greatest electoral successes, yet he always remained modest about his huge achievements.

"Whenever I asked him for advice, he was unfailingly kind and wise.

"Most of all, I will never forget the pride and love with which he would talk about his own family, most especially his devotion to his son Donald.

"My heart goes out to his sister and brother and to Sarah and Donald at this tragic time," he added.

Mr Kennedy's predecessor as Lib Dem leader, Lord Ashdown, said on Twitter: "Charles Kennedy. In a political age not overburdened with gaiety and good sense, he brought us wit, charm, judgement, principle and decency."

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: "With that cheeky smile, Highland voice and a few simple words, Charles Kennedy captured the political hearts of the nation.  

"Charles had a unique combination of political talent and public affection. He had a healthy disdain for policy detail but had highly tuned political instincts.

"He was in his element on the campaign trail - stealing the show in a TV debate on independence, a joust with opponents in a public meeting in Portree or greeting people on the streets of Dunfermline. 

"His wise counsel and gentle encouragement is something I especially valued.  I will miss him so much."

Liberal Democrat leadership hopeful Tim Farron MP tweeted: "I am utterly heartbroken about the news of Charles' passing. He was a colleague, friend and mentor. We've lost a giant today."

Mr Cameron tweeted: "I'm deeply saddened by the death of Charles Kennedy. He was a talented politician who has died too young. My thoughts are with his family."

Sir Malcolm Bruce, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the death of Mr Kennedy, who was best man at his wedding, was unexpected.

"Most of the time he was fine, he was the old Charles. I don't think we were expecting that," he told Sky News.

"The thing people remember about Charles is he was able to bring such a light touch to politics.

"All of us really want people to reflect on what we've lost - a politician of his own type and quite unusual among other politicians."

Scottish First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "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."

Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman said: "Everybody will be shocked and deeply saddened to hear Charles Kennedy has died.

"He was someone who fought for social justice and brought courage, wit and humour to everything he did.

"He had many friends in the Labour Party, as he did across the political spectrum and away from Westminster.

"Thoughts will now be with his family."

Scottish Labour leadership candidate Kezia Dugdale wrote: "Politics has just lost one of its most principled and best advocates. Very sorry to hear Charles Kennedy has passed away."

The SNP MP who won Mr Kennedy's Scotland seat of Ross, Skye and Lochaber in the General Election called his death a "tragedy". Ian Blackford said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It is shocking news. I think we all can reflect on the man that we knew, a man that burst on to the political scene by winning the seat in 1983, a bright breezy articulate, gregarious, fun loving man.

"I have known Charles a long time and he was a very kind man ... that is very much the memory that I will live with, of someone that could rise above party politics - a decent honest man."

He added: "All of us have flaws, none of us are perfect. It was just so desperate to see a man that struggled so much with the human frailties that we all have. Perhaps there should have been greater support for him."

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid wrote: "Very sad to hear about Charles Kennedy. Thoughts with his family and many friends. RIP"

Lord Prescott, Labour's former Deputy Prime Minister, tweeted: "So sad to hear of Charles Kennedy's passing. He proved to be right on Iraq. History will be as kind to him as he was to others. A great loss."

Principal and vice chancellor of the University of Glasgow Professor Anton Muscatelli said: "Charles was a distinguished alumnus of the University of Glasgow and served two terms as Rector.

"He contributed an enormous amount, and was a friend to all who came into contact with him.

"The thoughts and prayers of all at the University of Glasgow are with Charles' family at this dreadfully sad and tragic time."

Kirsty Wark tweeted: "Charles Kennedy was so talented. A fine orator, a strategist , a witty and warm man who never displayed any self importance."

Patrick Harvie tweeted: "Charles Kennedy was so clearly one of the most decent and well liked people in politics. Such sad news."

Humza Yousaf tweeted: "Such awful news to wake up to, feel deeply sad. My thoughts & prayers with Charles Kennedy's friends, family & Lib Dem colleagues."

The news stunned the Highlands, particularly his native community in Lochaber.

One woman in Fort William said: "It is just like a family bereavement. It really is. We are all feeling it."

His friend, the writer, broadcaster, shinty historian Hugh Dan Maclennan was brought up in Caol near the Kennedy croft outside Fort William.

He said: "I remember when the rest of us would go and play football and shinty at lunch time, Charles would go to the school hall and practise public speaking. It paid off. By the time he left school he had put the school on the map by winning the Observer Mace for debating. The rest of his didn't know what it was."

"He gave his life to politics, but sadly I think politics took his life away. I know how deeply he regretted the break up of his marriage to Sarah and he was totally devoted to his young son Donald James."

Dr Michael Foxley, formerly a GP in Fort William and LibDem leader of the Highland Council was a friend of his for more than 30 years. "It is just so sad. We have lost somebody important to the Highlands. Charles was from that radical tradition of the Highland Liberal established in the late 19th century by the land leaguers. It resonates still in an area like this and across the crofting community.

"However it has to be said that he paid a heavy price for his life in politics. His problems with alcohol meant his health suffered, and so most definitely did his personal life. But it says a lot for the man that hardly anyone in the Highlands will remember him for anything other than for his warmth, his humour and that he would always listen very carefully to them, so he could properly understand their problems."

SNP councillor for Dingwall Graham MacKenzie, formerly rector of Alness and then Dingwall Academy said: "Charlie was unfailingly friendly and always there for a chat."

Donnie Munro, formerly Runrig's lead singer who is now development director at Skye's Gaelic college Sabhal Mòr Ostaig's, stood against him for the Labour Party in the General Election of 1997. They first met in 1983 after his election.

He said: "People across the Highlands from all parties took great pride in him as a young Highlander of great ability. He had come in and beaten a government minister at the age of 23."