Politician Charles Kennedy died as the result of a major haemorrhage linked to alcoholism, his family have confirmed. On Friday, following the results of a post-mortem, the former Liberal Democrat leader's family released a statement saying that 55-year-old Charles' death was linked to his known problem with alcoholism. "Charles' death was caused by a major haemorrhage and the report makes clear this was a consequence of his battle with alcoholism," read the statement. "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."
© Photo: Getty ImagesCharles died at the age of 55 as the result of a major haemorrhage linked to alcoholism
The family went on to say how they have been coping with the news of Charles' untimely passing. "We have been touched beyond measure by the outpouring of warmth for a man whose loss we will feel deeply forever," they said. "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.
© Photo: RexCharles and his ex-wife Sarah with their son Donald
"It has become all too apparent to us how much Charles meant to so many people and how many lives he touched. "They went on to reference how beneficial it had been for his 10-year-old son Donald to visit a House of Commons session which paid tribute to the former Scottish MP.
© Photo: PACharles and Sarah married in 2002 but divorced in 2010
"We were grateful that his young son Donald was able to attend the Commons session where so many MPs spoke so warmly about his father," they 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. "Charles, who led the party between 1999 and 2006, was found dead at his home in Fort William on Monday.
Scores of tributes from leading figures including David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Alistair Campbell poured in for the Inverness-born politician, who had recently lost his seat during the General Election.
