Summary

  • Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy dies

  • Politician died at home, aged 55

  • Family tribute: "A fine man, talented politician and loving father"

  • Nicola Sturgeon: "Sad beyond words"

  • David Cameron: "Talented politician who has died too young"

  1. Live updates endingpublished at 18:59 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    And with that, it's time to bring today's live online coverage to a close.

    The BBC Scotland news website has the latest information, background and reaction to the death of Charles Kennedy.

  2. Flag at half mastpublished at 18:58 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    Glasgow University tweets:, external Flag at half-mast in memory of our highly regarded alumnus and former Rector Charles Kennedy.

    Half mast flagImage source, Glasgow University
  3. Special Charles Kennedy programmepublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    Scotland 2015
    BBC Two Scotland

    Tonight at 10.30pm we'll have a special programme on the life and legacy of former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy.

  4. VIDEO: Fort William residents recall 'great man'published at 18:51 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    People in Charles Kennedy's hometown of Fort William recall "a great man" who was "a joker at school".

    Constituents give their views on Charles Kennedy

    In this video his constituents and people he knew personally have spoken fondly of a man who will be remembered for "all the good things" he did.

  5. Danny Alexander: 'The Charles Kennedy I knew'published at 18:44 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    Former Lib Dem MP Danny Alexander was a party colleague of Charles Kennedy for many years.

    Danny Alexander and Charles KennedyImage source, Danny Alexander

    Mr Alexander has written a blog about The Charles Kennedy I knew, external for the Spectator.

  6. John Pienaar: My memories of Charlespublished at 18:37 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    The BBC's Chief political correspondent John Pienaar has been recalling his memories of Charles Kennedy:

    "Shoulder-to-shoulder with vastly more experienced colleagues, bantering with much older, seasoned political hacks and showing a grasp of what no-one then referred to as the 'big picture'.

    "He made you laugh and he made you listen. And that was why he became leader of his party."

    Charles Kennedy
  7. Reporting Scotland @ 18:30published at 18:31 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    BBC Scotland News

    Coming up on Reporting Scotland, tributes from old school friends to former MP Charles Kennedy who has died aged 55.

    Newspaper clipping from local press

    Watch the programme live.

  8. 'Never on top' of alcoholismpublished at 18:21 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    BBC News Channel

    Former Labour strategist Alastair Campbell, who was a long-term friend of Charles Kennedy, told the BBC News Channel that he never felt Mr Kennedy was "truly on top" of his alcohol problem.

    Alastair Campbell

    Mr Campbell said: "He did take a long time to confront it. I think that because I'd had my own problems with alcohol I think I may have been one of the first people that he came to.

    "I can remember we went for a walk in his constituency and he said 'look, you know what, I think I do have a problem'... I do think if Charles had maybe confronted it earlier he might have ended up with a happier existence."

  9. Lib Dems book of condolencepublished at 18:08 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    The Liberal Democrats have invited members of the public to submit messages for inclusion in a book of condolence, that will be passed on to Mr Kennedy's family.

    Charles Kennedy book of condolenceImage source, Liberal Democrats

    You can find it here, external.

  10. 'He will be missed in Europe debate'published at 17:58 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    BBC Radio Scotland

    The former leader of the Liberal Democrats Lord Steel told Newsdrive that Mr Kennedy was a principled politician and a valued friend.

    He said: "He was a great character. He had a wonderful sense of humour as well as strong convictions, so he was a delight to have supper or dinner with on occasion."

    Lord Steel

    Lord Steel continued: "I think he would have played a major part in the upcoming referendum on Europe. He was president of the European movement and he felt very strongly on that issue, so he would have been on natural territory all over the country , had he lived.

    "I think we will miss him greatly in that campaign."

  11. Charles Kennedy: A political contact and a chumpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    Brian Taylor
    Political editor, Scotland

    Anecdotes and wry observations spilled from Charles Kennedy. He had an acute intelligence and a thoroughgoing comprehension of contemporary politics.

    Charles KennedyImage source, PA

    But his style was frequently conversational and companionable, rather than didactic or driven.

    Read my blog in full. for my thoughts and memories of Charles Kennedy.

  12. Charles Kennedy's early lifepublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    Born in Inverness he grew up on the family croft at Lochyside in Lochaber in the shadow of Ben Nevis, with his late and extremely musical parents Ian and Mary.

    He attended Lochyside Roman Catholic Primary School just a stone's throw away from his home, and later Lochaber High School, where he honed his debating skills.

    Fellow pupil and journalist Hugh Dan MacLennan told of how Charles used to practice oration during lunchtime, while the other boys played football and shinty.

    Winning the election in 1983

    After being awarded an honours degree at Glasgow University, Charles Kennedy was offered a Fulbright Scholarship to the United States.

    He returned from America the states agreeing to fight the seemingly 'no hope' seat Ross, Cromarty and Skye for the SDP in 1983.

    He won and Britain's youngest MP at the time went on attribute his continued success in the seat to his strong Highland roots.

  13. Politicians from all parties have paid tributepublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    Nick Clegg: "Charles Kennedy was one of the most gifted politicians of a generation, he always spoke with great humour, humility and courage."

    Paddy Ashdown: "He had his difficulties, he had his demons...but on form and on song, he was the best of us by a mile."

    Alastair Campbell: "A lovely man, a talented politician, and a great friend."

    John Bercow: "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."

    David Cameron: "He was a talented politician who has died too young. My thoughts are with his family."

    Tony Blair: "He was throughout his time [in parliament] a lovely, genuine and deeply committed public servant."

    Gordon Brown: "I recognised his ability and asked him to join the Labour Party. He politely declined."

    Lord Rennard: "CK' as he was often known, was one of remarkably few people in politics who would find appropriate, but sometimes unusual words, to understand and express peoples' emotions. Many of us will struggle to do that now."

    Charles KennedyImage source, PA

    Danny Alexander: "We will miss him more than words can say."

    Willie Rennie: "...that cheeky smile, that Highland voice, and just a few well chosen words: He was able to catch my political heart and many people right across the nation."

    Nicola Sturgeon: "A lovely man and one of the most talented politicians of his time. Gone too soon."

    Alex Salmond: "When it came to a decision when the establishment was facing one way and the people were facing the other way, he took the side of the people."

    Jim Murphy: "In years to come we will remember with a smile the delight in knowing him, his huge contribution to politics and a life lost too soon."

    Lord McConnell: "Talented, principled and extremely likeable over the 35 years since we first met. Very sad."

    Henry McLeish: "He was an easy man to like and above all else a real patriot, and always concerned with social justice."

    Nigel Farage: "I am very sorry to hear the news about Charles Kennedy, he was always a polite and decent man."

  14. Recap: Death of Charles Kennedypublished at 16:38 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    The news that former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy had died at his home in Fort William broke early this morning.

    Mr Kennedy's family announced the death of the 55-year-old, saying that they were "obviously devastated at the loss".

    Charles Kennedy

    In a statement, police said they were called to Caberfeidh Cottage - Mr Kennedy's home - on Monday evening, after being alerted to the sudden death of a 55-year-old man.

    They confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances and said a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

    Tributes have been paid from politicians from across the political spectrum, as well as from friends, colleagues, constituents, and commentators.

  15. From the Glasgow Uni archive...published at 16:24 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    Glasgow University have been remembering Charles Kennedy's time at the university.

    He was a graduate MA (Hons) 1982, President of the GUU 1980-81, won the British Observer Mace for University Debating 1982, honorary graduate in 2001 and Rector for two terms: 2008 and 2011.

    Charles Kennedy youngImage source, Glasgow University
    Charles Kennedy campaigning to be elected as rectorImage source, Glasgow University
    Charles Kennedy speaking at Glasgow UniversityImage source, Glasgow University
    Charles Kennedy in posed picture at Glasgow UniversityImage source, Glasgow University

    You can see the full picture archive of Mr Kennedy's time at the university here, external.

  16. Wallace: 'Memories can't help but bring a smile'published at 16:06 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    Former Deputy First Minister Lord Wallace has spoken of his "profoundly personal" memories of Charles Kennedy.

    He said: "What I will probably remember most were his instinctive humanity, his infectious good humour and his determined, even stubborn commitment to the principles and the values he believed in.

    Lord Jim Wallace speaks to the BBC

    "Much will be written and said about the key moments of his career; but my feelings today are profoundly personal.

    "It's about the loss his family are experiencing, and not least Donald [his son], of whom Charles was intensely proud. It's about the loss to our public life, as he still had much to contribute. It's about the loss of a friend.

    "But even in sadness, memories can't help but bring a smile. It'll be a long time before we see his like again."

  17. Campbell on Kennedypublished at 15:52 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    Menzies CampbellImage source, PA

    Campbell on Kennedy: "Relations between himself and myself were a bit cool to begin with" but later "we restored the warm and friendly relationship which we had had".

  18. Your memories of Charles Kennedypublished at 15:39 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    BBC Have Your Say
    BBC News

    What are your memories of Charles Kennedy? Did you meet him?

    You can share your thoughts and photos by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. If you would be happy to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number when emailing us your details.

    Charles Kennedy at conference

    Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international) or via our WhatsApp number +44 (0)7525 900971.

    Alternatively you can fill in the form at the bottom of this webpage.

  19. 'He went against the tide'published at 15:11 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    John Curtice
    Professor of politics at Strathclyde University

    I doubt if Charles Kennedy was surprised he lost his seat. I think the truth is it was quite clear to anybody who had looked at the opinion polls that he was in trouble.

    Charles KennedyImage source, Rex Features

    Charlie Kennedy, throughout his career, people remember him as a very social person. He is also somebody that during his career he was willing to take risks and to stand on his own. It very clearly marked the leadership of his party.

    Two things - arguing for more taxation for spending on education and opposition to the Iraq war - in 2005 attracted a section of the electorate that was unhappy with new Labour, and that lead to the fact the party got to 62 seats in the general election.

    Charlie Kennedy went against the tide, took risks, and his party profited from them.

  20. Kennedy's heart not in 'Better Together'published at 14:58 British Summer Time 2 June 2015

    Alex Salmond has said he does not think Charles Kennedy was fully behind the Better Together campaign during the Scottish independence referendum.

    No campaign jacket in Scottish referendumImage source, Matt Cardy

    The former Scottish first minister told the BBC: "In terms of the independence campaign, I don't think his heart was in the Better Together campaign.

    "His heart would have been in a pro-European campaign - that's the campaign that Charles would have engaged in heart and soul."