Former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy dies at 55

Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has died at his home aged 55, his family said.

The Scottish ex-MP's death was not believed to be suspicious and the cause of death has yet to be confirmed, reports the Scotsman.

Kennedy lost his seat in the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency to the SNP's Ian Blackford in last month's general 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. 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," the statement said further

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."

"I'm deeply saddened by the death of Charles Kennedy. He was a talented politician who has died too young. "It is not that often in politics that someone comes along with brains, talent, wit and bags of humanity and Charles had all of those things. He achieved so much so young and he has been taken from us too soon," said Prime Minister David Cameron

Former Labour spin doctor and close personal friend of Charles Kennedy, Alastair Campbell, said, ""Our shared friendship was also built on a shared enemy, and that is alcohol. That Charles struggled with alcohol is no secret to the people in Westminster, or in the Highlands constituency he served so well, for so long, until the SNP tide swept away all but one Scottish Lib Dem at the election last month."

Former Lib Dem leader and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said Kennedy's death "robs Britain of one of the most gifted politicians of his generation."

Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman said he "brought courage, wit and humour to everything he did".

Mr Kennedy's leadership of the Lib Dems, which saw the party enjoy its greatest electoral success by winning 62 seats in 2005, was marked by his staunch opposition to the war in Iraq.

Labour ex-prime minister Tony Blair, who took the country to war in 2003, described his former opponent's death as an "absolute tragedy".

Blair said: "He came into Parliament at the same time as me in 1983. He was throughout his time a lovely, genuine and deeply committed public servant.

"As leader of the Liberal Democrats, we worked closely together and he was always great company, with a lively and inventive mind. I am very saddened indeed by this news."

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Charles devoted his life to serving Scotland and his beloved Highlands. His passion for making our country a better place to live is his lasting legacy. I am proud to have known Charles Kennedy and our country today is the poorer for his passing."

SNP MP Ian Blackford, who defeated Mr Kennedy on May 7, said: "I am shocked and saddened at the news of Charles Kennedy's death. He was a bright, articulate and gregarious man and it is so sad that he has been taken at such a young age. My thoughts are with his family and all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his 10-year-old son Donald, who was born during the 2005 election campaign.