Nicholas
30-08-2006, 09:44 PM
CHARLES KENNEDY’S alcoholism was deliberately concealed from the electorate and most of his party by a group of senior Liberal Democrats who included the present leader, Sir Menzies Campbell, The Times can reveal today.
Mr Kennedy already had a serious drink problem when he became leader in 1999, according to a new book being serialised in The Times.
But the cover-up began in earnest in 2003, a year after Mr Kennedy sought professional help, when he planned the biggest gamble of his political career by going public with his alcoholism at a press conference in Westminster.
At the last moment he pulled out and his inner circle again refused to admit his problems.
continued..........
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2332682,00.html
Mr Kennedy already had a serious drink problem when he became leader in 1999, according to a new book being serialised in The Times.
But the cover-up began in earnest in 2003, a year after Mr Kennedy sought professional help, when he planned the biggest gamble of his political career by going public with his alcoholism at a press conference in Westminster.
At the last moment he pulled out and his inner circle again refused to admit his problems.
continued..........
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2332682,00.html