Charles Kennedy 'the best', says PM as Commons pay tribute

An SNP official who sent more than 130 abusive Twitter messages to the late Charles Kennedy in the run-up to the general election has resigned.

Brian Smith, who was convener of the SNP Skye and Lochalsh branch, described the former Liberal Democrat leader as "quisling" and a "drunken slob" in the messages, the Daily Mail reported.

Mr Kennedy lost his seat in the Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency to the SNP's Ian Blackford in last month's election.

Mr Smith, who is a former policeman, according to the Daily Record, had never been been employed by Mr Blackford in any capacity, the SNP spokesman said.

His Twitter account @lobsterferret has now been deleted.

Mr Kennedy, a father of one, died suddenly at his home on June 1 at the age of 55. He had suffered a major haemorrhage as a result of a long battle with alcoholism.

His funeral is due to take place near his Highland home today.

The funeral of former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy will take place on Friday, his family has announced.

The 55-year-old, who lost his seat in Parliament at the general election, died a week ago after suffering a major hemorrhage following a long battle with alcoholism.

His funeral will take place at noon at St John's Church in Caol, near his Fort William home and the site where both his parents were laid to rest.

Large crowds are expected to gather for the service, after which his body will be buried at Clunes, Achnacarry.

One of Charles Kennedy's closest friends, Alastair Campbell, has told ITV News that the death of the former Lib Dem leader "has touched people".

He also said that the alcoholism that killed him made him "vulnerable" and is an illness that often goes unrecognised.

The former Downing Street spin doctor was speaking after Mr Kennedy's family revealed how he died from a massive haemorrhage brought on by his heavy drinking.

ITV News' Political Correspondent Romilly Weeks reports.

The death of Charles Kennedy should remove some of the stigma around alcohol addiction, one of the late politician's former rivals for Liberal Democrat leader has said.

Jackie Ballard, who is now chief executive of Alcohol Concern, said Mr Kennedy's life and achievements should not be masked by his drink problem.

Ms Ballard said Mr Kennedy's death at 55 showed how the disease can affect anyone.

A post mortem has found Charles Kennedy died of a "major haemorrhage" that was "a consequence of his battle with alcoholism", the former Liberal Democrat leader's family said.

They added: "Ultimately this was an illness Charles could not conquer despite all the efforts he and others made."

The family said they had been "touched beyond measure by the outpouring of warmth" from all parts of the country and all sides of politics after 55-year-old Mr Kennedy died suddenly at his home in Fort William on Monday.

Further tests are to be carried out to determine the cause of Charles Kennedy's death.

The former Liberal Democrat leader died suddenly at his home in Fort William on Monday.

Police Scotland said there were no suspicious circumstances and that a post-mortem examination would be carried out but it has now been reported that further tests are needed.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland told the Daily Record:

More: PM leads Commons tributes to Charles Kennedy

Labour's Tom Watson directed part of his touching tribute to the son of ex-Liberal Democrat MP Charles Kennedy, who was sitting in the House of Commons gallery.

Mr Watson directed part of his short tribute to ten-year-old Donald, saying: "Your father was a very great man. He stood up for what he believed in."

More: Commons pays tribute to Charles Kennedy

Former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg called Charles Kennedy a "fully signed up member of the human race" in a touching tribute to his former colleague.

Mr Clegg, who was speaking in the House of Commons, also said that Mr Kennedy was the "polar opposite of a cardboard cut-out, points-scoring party politician."

The Prime Minister has paid tribute to former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, saying "at his best, he was the best that politics can be."

More: Commons pays tribute to Charles Kennedy