Kennedy on Lib Dem leadership: 'Who knows what future holds?'

Charles Kennedy has declined to rule out a return as Liberal Democrat leader, despite dismissing speculation surrounding "a plot" against his successor.

Mr Kennedy, who was forced to resign earlier this year after admitting a drink problem, made the statement answering questions from readers of The Independent amid fresh speculation over a possible move to oust Sir Menzies Campbell.

Asked whether he could envisage leading his party again, Mr Kennedy replied: "Who knows what the future holds? Unpredictability is a central feature of political life." But he declined to criticise Sir Menzies.

Asked about the party's opinion poll standing, he said the Liberal Democrats had enjoyed "extremely encouraging" election results this year and insisted: "I'm against former leaders giving their successors public advice."

Asked about the drink problem which caused him to stand down, he replied: "I made clear when I stepped down that I was in good health then and that remains the case. It's up to me to maintain my good health - which I am - and in so doing I'm entitled to privacy."

Mr Kennedy dismissed claims in the News of the World that he held weekly meetings with former senior party figures. He said: "As everyone knows, long-standing friends and political colleagues remain close to me. We meet frequently and it is simply fanciful to read anything else into such a normal ongoing state of affairs."

Sir Menzies brushed aside the report. He told Sky News: "Charles Kennedy himself has described these reports as being 'fanciful', and Dick Newby, one of his alleged co-conspirators, has said they are ridiculous. I rest my case. The silly season usually starts on 1 August. It seems to have started a little earlier this year."

Mr Kennedy will make his first major speech since standing down at the party conference in September. He appears in a Channel Four documentary on Friday.