Plymouth Liberal Democrats mourn former leader

Plymouth Liberal Democrats have expressed their sadness at the sudden death of Charles Kennedy, the party's former leader. His death at the age of only 55, was announced this morning and came as a shock to many members.

The party chair, Hugh Janes, said, "Quite a few members of the local party had met Charles over the years and everyone had been positive about the experience. I was introduced to him in Scotland some years ago during an Edinburgh Festival and he was delightful company. He was very interested in how Liberal Democrats were doing in Plymouth and, of course, had visited the West Country on many occasions to support the MPs here. He was also very funny. His strong and reasoned stance against the invasion of Iraq in 2003 is the reason I, and many others, joined the Liberal Democrats."

Charles Kennedy was elected to Parliament in 1983 when he was just 23 and was elected leader in 1999. During this time he oversaw the growth of LibDem MPs from 46 to 62, the best Liberal result in a century. His death is made especially poignant in the week when Plymouth will host the hustings for election of the party's new leader.