There were fresh concerns about Charles Kennedy yesterday after he appeared to struggle during a television appearance.
The BBC also came in for criticism after the former Liberal Democrat leader, known for his wit and ability to connect with the public, seemed to offer disjointed answers on Question Time and asked for questions to be repeated.
The appearance immediately caused concern within the party for Mr Kennedy, who is a recovering alcoholic. Michael Rosen, the former children’s laureate, was among viewers who raised concerns. He tweeted: “I don’t think the BBC is safeguarding the safety of Charles Kennedy.”
Mr Kennedy appeared on the debating programme with Anna Soubry, the Tory defence minister, Lucy Powell, the Labour MP, Natalie Bennett, the Green leader, and Ian Hislop, the editor of Private Eye.
During his first answer, he appeared to misinterpret comments from a fellow panellist and asked for David Dimbleby, the host, to repeat a question about defence spending. In his next intervention, he was asked his opinion on the prospect of a future coalition between Labour and the Scottish National Party. “I’ve heard an awful lot of claptrap in the last few minutes,” he said, but then again asked for clarification of the question.
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Asked about Jeremy Clarkson, he said: “Jeremy Clarkson, the future. This is very politically incorrect of me, but end of Gone With The Wind, ‘Frankly my dear, I do not give a damn’.”
A friend within the Lib Dems said that the party had rallied around Mr Kennedy in the past and would do so again if necessary.
Mr Kennedy, the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, and one of the party’s most popular figures, stepped down as party leader in 2006 after revealing that he had “sought professional help” for a drinking problem. This came after an intervention by his own MPs. The party is pouring in some of its limited resources to hold on to Mr Kennedy’s Highlands seat, which had been one of its safest in 2010. A recent poll found that the Lib Dems now trailed the SNP in the seat.
A party source said that approaches had been made in the past to assist Mr Kennedy and that they hoped he was receiving any help he needed. “He is such a talent,” the source said.
A spokesman for the former Lib Dem leader said: “We are not giving any comment at this time.”