Charles Kennedy died of major haemorrhage

THE sudden death of former Highland MP Charles Kennedy has been confirmed as a "major haemorrhage " that was "a consequence of his battle with alcoholism", his family have confirmed.

The shock news of his passing earlier this week prompted a huge outpouring of sorrow from across the political spectrum and throughout the Highlands qwhere he was an MP for 32 years.

Politicians of every hue were shocked when they learned that the former Liberal Democrat leader and Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP had been found dead in his Fort William home at the age of 55.

But closer to home, the death of the popular son of a Lochaber crofter, who made his mark on the political stage, has left a huge void.

Mr Kennedy died at his home at Lochyside and was found by a friend on Monday night.

His family said they had been "touched beyond measure by the outpouring of warmth" following his death and said a post-mortem examination had found he had he suffered a "major haemorrhage".

"The report makes clear this was a consequence of his battle with alcoholism," the statement said.

"We are grateful to the many friends and also medical experts who sought to help down the years but ultimately this was an illness Charles could not conquer despite all the efforts he and others made."

It added: "The pain we feel has been at least eased somewhat by the reaction of so many people across Scotland, the UK and beyond, and by the affection expressed by politicians across the spectrum.

"It has become all too apparent to us how much Charles meant to so many people and how many lives he touched."

Mr Kennedy's ex-wife Sarah and 10-year-old son Donald attended a special session in the House of Commons on Wednesday, where the Prime Minister led cross-party tributes to the popular politician.

The family said: "The words and images of that day, and of so many other tributes, will be there for us to look back on with pride in Charles, and Donald will always know what a special father he had."

They also thanked the authorities and emergency services and said funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.

His death comes less than a month after he was ousted from his Ross, Skye and Lochaber seat by the SNP’s Ian Blackford who overturned a 13,070 majority in a shock result. Mr Kennedy had suffered a personal blow during the general election campaign when his father Ian died. His mother Mary died in 2013.

Mr Kennedy, described as one of the most talented politicians of his time by Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was 55.

Mr Kennedy’s family said in a statement: “We are obviously devastated at the loss. Charles was a fine man, a talented politician and a loving father to his young son.”

Mr Blackford, who defeated Mr Kennedy in the general election, said: “So sorry to hear the dreadful news. A man of such great ability, such a tragedy he has passed away. RIP.”

Mary Scanlon, Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “Charles Kennedy was rooted in the traditional style of Highland politics where you respect candidates and politicians as individuals and debate on their party’s policies. He was not in the mould of social media politics and gossip but rather in the tradition of respect for his constituents and the area he served so well for more than three decades.”

Danny Alexander, former Chief Secretary to the Treasury and ex-Lib Dem MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, said: “Charles was a Highlander through and through, a great liberal and one of the most talented politicians of his generation. 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.”

Highland councillor and former Lib Dem MSP Jamie Stone said: “Charles was a star who glittered very brightly in the political firmament, but at the same time he never lost his extraordinary ability to communicate with ordinary people in a way that was virtually unique in politics.

“I have lost the truest of friends, someone who meant a very great deal to me. He will also remain bright in our memories for the rest of our lives. Our hearts go out to his family and his young son Donald.”

Mr Kennedy, a former Lochaber High School pupil and champion debater for LHS, began his political career in the SDP. He became the youngest MP at the age of 23 when he won the Ross, Cromarty and Skye seat in 1983 before going on to represent Ross, Skye and Lochaber until the General Election last month.

In 1999 he was elected leader of the Lib Dems, but his alcoholism eventually led to his resignation at the helm of the party in 2005.

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