Charles Kennedy

The Right Honourable Charles Peter Kennedy (born 25 November 1959) is a British politician, who has been leader of the Liberal Democrats (the third largest political party in the United Kingdom) since 1999.

Personal life

In July 2002, Charles Kennedy married Sarah Gurling, the sister of his best friend, James Gurling. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/2141472.stm

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Reports of Kennedy's ill-health in 2003 at the time of crucial debates on Iraq and the budget were linked to unsubstantiated allegations of alcoholism.

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Sarah gave birth to their first child, Donald James Kennedy, at 12:14am April 12 2005, at St Thomas' Hospital, London. Kennedy had been due to launch his party's manifesto for the General Election, which was subsequently delayed, with Sir Menzies Campbell taking temporary charge as acting leader and covering Kennedy's campaign duties. During the manifesto launch on his first day back on the campaign trail after the birth, Kennedy struggled to remember the details of a key policy (replacing the Council Tax with a Local Income Tax) at an early morning press conference, which he later blamed on a lack of sleep due to his new child.

Related Topics:
April 12 - 2005 - Manifesto - General Election - Sir Menzies Campbell - Council Tax - Income Tax

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