[Kursk]

There was something very decent about Charles Kennedy. He was an intelligent, affable and articulate man who appeared comfortable in any company. He served his community tirelessly and often brought a sense of reasoned balance to the bigger stage. He was a politician I would find easy both to listen to and believe because I feel he spoke from the heart.

His passing at 55 is very sad; I hope his family can take solace in the probability that no-one will have a harsh word to say about him and indeed admired him for swimming so graciously in a sea of sharks. R.I.P.