THE chairman of the North-East Liberal Democrats has spoke of the party's "deep sadness" at the loss of former leader Charles Kennedy, who has died aged 55.

Ian Jones, who lives in Middlesbrough, said: “We are deeply saddened at the loss of Charles Kennedy.

“The thing that stands out for me about him is that he was a conviction politician. He stuck to his guns irrespective of popularity.

“Nothing demonstrates that more by the stand he took against the war in Iraq.

“We have lost a man of great character and wisdom.”

Liberal Democrat Life Peer Baron Shipley, OBE, a former leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “The death of Charles Kennedy has come as a great shock. It is deeply sad news after his long career in politics. He was a gifted and popular political leader and a man of great principle not least in opposing the Iraq War. He held strong convictions about the importance of social justice and gave us a clear identity on the centre-left of British politics.

“This is a very sad day and our thoughts are with his family in Fort William."

Chris Foote-Wood, a former Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate and leader of Wear Valley District Council, recalled campaigning with Mr Kennedy and said the pair would “roar with laughter” together.

He said:“Charles Kennedy inspired us to the most MPs we’ve had in 80 years.

“He was all too human and the people loved him for it.”