Caerphilly’s Labour MP Wayne David has paid tribute to the former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy who has died aged 55.
Mr Kennedy led the Liberal Democrats between 1999 and 2006 and steered the party to its best-ever General Election result in 2005, after leading the Parliamentary opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
He lost his seat to the SNP at last month’s General Election.
On Twitter, Mr David said: “Am very sad to hear about Charles Kennedy. He was a decent man, a good European and someone who believed that there is good in all people.”
Mr Kennedy passed away at his home in the Scottish Highlands and while no cause of death has been given, it is not being treated as suspicious.
Kirsty Williams, the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said she was ” immensely sad to hear of this devastating news”.
She said: “You would struggle to meet a kinder man than Charles. He was a man who had time for everybody; a real people person and that made him stand out from all the rest. He will always be remembered for his warm personality and brilliant quick wit.
“Charles was a giant in our party. He was robust, sincere and passionate. Never will I be more proud of our party than when Charles us led from the front in our opposition to the Iraq War.
“This wasn’t a decision taken lightly, yet Charles was a man of principle and did what he knew was right. The party owes him a great gratitude for the position he took and the bravery he showed.
“Above all else, our thoughts go out to Charles’ family at this very difficult time.”
Am very sad to hear about Charles Kennedy. He was a decent man, a good European and someone who believed that there is good in all people.
— Wayne David (@WayneDavid_MP) June 2, 2015