Charles Kennedy 'had better judgement drunk than many sober politicians' says Ian Hislop

The pair appeared on Have I Got News For You together on a number of occasions

Charles Kennedy appears on Have I Got News For You (BBC)

Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy had "better judgement drunk than a lot of sober politicians" despite struggling with alcoholism, Ian Hislop has said.

Mr Kennedy made several appearances on the satirical news quiz Have I Got News for You both as a panelist and a guest host.

Mr Hislop, a long-running team captain on the programme, paid tribute to his friend and occasional colleague.

"This is sad news. Charles was clever, funny, committed, self-deprecating, generous and very good company," he told the Press Association news agency.

"Yes, he had a drink problem but he had better judgement drunk than a lot of politicians sober."

Mr Hislop also edits Private Eye magazine.

Mr Kennedy died suddenly at home in Fort William aged 55, according to a statement by this family.

A post-mortem is set to be carried out.

“Charles was a fine man, a talented politician, and a loving father to his young son. We ask therefore that the privacy of his family is respected in the coming days,” his family’s statement said.

Mr Kennedy led the Liberal Democrats to their best ever general election result in 2005 when they gained 62 seats.

He led the party between 1999 and 2006 and was an MP in the Highlands of Scotland between 1983 and 2015, having lost his seat to the SNP at the last election.