Tributes have been flooding in after ex-Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy dies at the age of 55
Mr Kennedy was leader from 1999 to 2006, including 2005 when the party got its best ever result
Under his leadership the party opposed the 2003 Iraq War
Image source, PAPeople in Charles Kennedy's former constituency of Ross, Skye and Lochaber have been speaking to BBC Radio 5 live about him. One says he was "very friendly and warm - typical West Highlander".
To listen, click here.
Jackie Barker:
Unaffiliated to any party but close to tears since hearing the news today. An enormous loss to ALL of us. Charles Kennedy was the best politician of our times. Our public servants should look to his principles, integrity, humility and honesty. Lib Dems should take on his legacy - his beliefs, values and utter dedication - it might just help them succeed. Thank you Charles for all you stood for. Deepest sympathy to his family and those lucky enough to have known him.
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham tells the House of Commons:
Quote MessageI can't have been the only person wondering this morning why politics always seems to lose the people it needs most. Charles was warm, generous, genuine and principled. We will miss him greatly and we send our love and our deepest sympathy to his family."
BBC News Channel
Quote MessageHe was a man of conviction, of principle, of passion, but above all he was a very decent human being because whatever the convictions and principles and passions he had he never allowed it to be expressed in vitriol or vindictiveness or personal animosity. I think that's why people, not just in Westminster, but throughout the country, were attracted to Charles Kennedy.
Lord Reid, Labour former Home Secretary
Conservative MP tweets...
Image source, PAActing Labour leader Harriet Harman says:
Quote MessageIt was always worth listening to him and, you know, sometimes he was right and I was wrong. I mean, like for example on the war in Iraq... if you look back, the judgements he made, they were made out of a deep sense of progressive commitment and a real fierce intelligence which was not just about this country but about the world."
Linda Birchall:
Charles Kennedy should receive a royal award as an exceptional parliamentarian as it is obvious he devoted his entire life to public service in a unique way and always put the people first.
Email: politics@bbc.co.uk
George Ashton:
Shocked and saddened to learn about the passing of Charles Kennedy. He represented our area in the Highlands so well over the years. He will be greatly missed by many.
Image source, PAFormer Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughes says:
Quote MessageCharles remained a star in the political firmament all the time from his first election in 1983. From 1983 to 2015 together in the House of Commons and around the country, I saw a friend and colleague who never wavered in his principles, never wavered in his determination and never wavered in his generous friendships. Liberal Democrat opposition to the Iraq war was led by Charles and united millions in the country behind him.”
BBC News Channel
Quote MessageHe is being spoken of in the fondest terms right across the political spectrum. Our politics in this country is adversarial but Charles Kennedy was someone who simply didn't go down that road. He believed in reason and rationality, and he also believed in principle. That's why he was popular throughout the whole of the House of Commons.
Sir Menzies Campbell, Former Lib Dem leader
Conservative MP James Gray tells the House of Commons he stood against Mr Kennedy in 1992 and would take the opportunity on Wednesday - when MPs will pay tribute to the former Lib Dem leader - to remember "what a very happy occasion it was and how very glad I was to lose to Charles at that election".
BBC News website reader:
I was absolutely gutted when watching the news this morning. I just wish all politicians were as honest as him and wore their heart on their sleeves. Such a sad loss. R.I.P #chatshowcharlie.
BBC News website reader:
The world is a poorer place this morning with the loss of a man who reasserted the definition of politics as something every one of us can be a part of.
Alastair Campbell says Mr Kennedy knew the SNP were an "unstoppable force" in May's election, and was sending him messages the day before the vote to show how the bookmakers' odds on him winning his seat were "narrowing".
But he says Mr Kennedy "accepted" his defeat and was "already talking about what he could do in the future".
Sir Menzies Campbell has acknowledged that relations between himself and Charles Kennedy were a "bit cool" after Mr Kennedy was ousted as leader in 2006 but insisted it was right for the party that he stepped down at the time. However, he tells the BBC's Daily Politics that "warm and friendly" relations were soon restored. He also says that despite Charles Kennedy's misgivings about the coalition he remained "absolutely loyal" to the party, adding that he was "often seen but rarely heard" during the Lib Dems' five years in government.
Norman Smith
Assistant political editor
"He was someone who was genuinely liked by politicians on all sides. I'm struck by how many of the tributes are from the era of the Iraq War. That is because that was a defining moment for Charles Kennedy, because it underlined the extent to which he was at heart a conviction politician. That may sound strange, because most people have seen his relaxed, jovial, humorous demeanour, but he was a man who believed passionately in some fundamental core beliefs. That was shown most starkly during the Iraq War because he alone, really, stood out against the rush to war."
Image source, GettyFormer Labour strategist Alastair Campbell says: "Charles had a real struggle with alcohol. Sometimes he beat it, sometimes he didn't."
Mr Campbell says Mr Kennedy handled his alcoholism "in his own way, incredibly well".
"This is not about demons - it's a disease," he adds.
BBC News website reader:
Absolutely absolutely shocked. It is one of the worst losses ever. He was one of the best leaders I have known.
BBC News website reader:
There is going to be a large void wherever Charles was, a great man father and politician. A true man for the people.
Professor James Raven from Cambridge was a member of the Lib Dems since 1975 and says he was honoured to call Charles Kennedy a friend:
Quote MessageThe death of Charles Kennedy is a devastating loss for British politics. It's a tremendous shock. A man of the greatest integrity, he advanced the cause of social justice and liberalism with immense thoughtfulness and determination. He combined enormous personal charm with huge and self-deprecating abilities. He was so effective because he was so passionate and warm. I first knew him as a very young MP in 1983 and we campaigned together through the 90s and three general elections. I was honoured to call him my friend and have treasured memories of his personal and generous support. He was an immensely gifted leader. I suggested he took a sabbatical to overcome his problems. I think the party would have accepted that. I regret he stood down. In private he was quite a shy man. He was a good friend to people. He was a very proud highlander. He will be missed by everyone who cared for the future of this country.