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, PANews has emerged of the death of former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.
Mr Kennedy, 55, died at his home in Fort William on Monday. Police said the death was "sudden" but there were "no suspicious circumstances". No cause of death has been given.
His family said they were devastated to lose a "fine man and loving father".
BBC News website reader:
All these comments & tributes for Charles Kennedy. It's a pity they were not made while he was alive. He would have probably greatly appreciated the encouragement.
The university where Mr Kennedy studied tweets...
BBC News website reader:
Charles Kennedy will be missed - a unique character - a politician who balanced his strong beliefs with a sense of humility seldom seen in politics - today's outpouring of support says it all.
Time will be set aside after Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday for further tributes to Mr Kennedy, Speaker John Bercow announces.
Donna from Edinburgh:
Quote MessageCharles Kennedy was a down-to-earth guy, great politician and brilliant leader for his party, heartfelt sympathies go out to his wife, son, parents and his family.
Prime Minister David Cameron says: "It's a tragic loss for Charles's family and my heart goes out to them. It's also a tragic loss for politics and public life. He was someone of immense ability and it's 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's been taken from us far too soon.
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow says Mr Kennedy was a "principled, progressive and passionate" politician.
Quote MessageIn an age of pervasive cynicism about politics and politicians, Charles had that rare and uncanny capacity to cut through to large numbers of voters of all political persuasions and of none right across the country. He was doubtless assisted in that by his obvious sincerity, his relaxed style and his geniality."
The Daily Politics
The Daily Politics will hear from former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell about the death of Charles Kennedy. Reporter Craig Anderson will be at the Lib Dem constituency HQ in Dingwall, while Lord Razzall, who ran both the general elections which Mr Kennedy fought as Lib Dem leader, and Greg Hurst, who has written a biography of him, are also guests on Tuesday’s programme, from 12:00 BST.
In other news, Humza Yousaf, the Scottish Government's spokesman on Europe and International Development, will be speaking about Nicola Sturgeon’s speech in Brussels about the UK’s future in or out of the EU.
Baroness Royall and Lord True will talk about the House of Lords, and there will be a look at research by the TaxPayers' Alliance about some of the assets of local councils, which include nightclubs, a golf course, pigeon lofts and a wet fish stall.
And the programme will hear about the role of the three deputy speakers in the Commons with Lindsay Hoyle, who is in post now, and Natascha Engel who will be joining him without needing a vote from fellow MPs.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt tells the House of Commons Mr Kennedy was a "giant of his generation" who proved that "you can be passionate and committed without ever being bitter or bearing grudges".
BBC News Channel
Lib Dem MP Tim Farron says: "You saw someone who was able to move an audience. If you were in a conference hall who thought one thing, he would speak and make them think another. Not in any contrived way but in a heart-felt way. When I met him you saw what he had which was something very unique. People talk about authenticity, people were warm about Charles because he was warm about them. Charles would have an approach to things where he would just speak from the heart. That's why people would believe him because he would speak the truth.
From Highland boy to Westminster party leader, Charles Kennedy made a remarkable rise to prominence at a young age. Here the BBC looks back on the man who became known to some in politics as "chatshow Charlie".
Nick Robinson
Political editor
"Charles Kennedy left a mark on British politics but it also left its mark on him. Elected at the age of just 23, politics and the House of Commons became his life whilst alcohol was his friend, his prop and his curse."
Read Nick's full posthere.
We've heard a lot about the good humour of Charles Kennedy, and here's a lovely example.
On Twitter, Phil Lucas posts a picture of a letter he received from Mr Kennedy - a response to being asked which was his favourite character on The Muppets.
Mr Kennedy chose Gonzo, adding: "Even though he is blue he is a nice guy."
Iain Marshall went to the same school as Charles Kennedy and says he could tell he was going to be a political star back then:
Quote MessageWe went to the same school - Lochaber high school. I was a bit younger than Charles - by about four years. He was active in debating then. You could tell he was going to be bit of a star. He was a decent guy even back then. I knew his family as well. I was a piper and his father was a fiddler. My mother taught him at school. A teacher called Mr Bob Dick was instrumental in getting Charles into debating by entering him into a competition, which he won. That was the start of his political career. I've known about his problems in recent years. When I heard he'd lost his seat, I felt for him then. It's a sad day for us all because he's had the seat for so long. He was a popular person. It's a tragedy. Everyone here is pretty devastated.
Today Programme
BBC Radio 4
Paddy Ashdown and Sir Malcolm Bruce are among those who have spoken to BBC Radio 4's Today programme about Charles Kennedy. Listen to their tributes here.
Dorothea, a Lib Dem member:
A good and kind man. God rest his soul and help his family with their loss.
In 1994 Charles Kennedy won £2,000 from a £50 bet when he predicted that the Lib Dems would take only two seats in the European elections. Some thought he was not taking politics seriously - but many liked the fact he seemed unlike other politicians.
Read more about Mr Kennedy in our profile here.
Image source, PAFormer Lib Dem MP Danny Alexander says:
Quote MessageCharles was a Highlander through and through, a great liberal. He achieved a great deal for the communities he loved in the north of Scotland, and he gave courageous leadership to the opposition to the Iraq war. One of the many consequences of this tragic, untimely loss is that our country will not have the benefit of his sane, principled and persuasive voice in the debates about Scotland and Europe, two issues he cared passionately about."
Marc Williams
Newsnight Election Producer
Image source, Press AssociationMany tributes have been paid this morning to Charles Kennedy. The pathos of his death is only exacerbated by reading his maiden speech , external in the House of Commons, made in 1983 as the Baby of the House at the almost inconceivably young age of 24.
The subject of the debate was "The Younger Generation" and his message at that time could be repeated in the Chamber today and not seem out of place.
Read the full post on Newsnight Live.