Charles Kennedy splits from wife
By politics.co.uk staff
Former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy and his wife Sarah are to split, lawyers for the couple have confirmed.
A statement confirmed the end of their eight-year marriage was taking place without animosity.
“It is with great sadness that we have decided that we will be separating,” the couple said.
“In doing so amicably, our ongoing and overriding priority will obviously remain our son. We wish this to remain an entirely private family matter.”
Donald Kennedy was born during the 2005 general election campaign, in which under Mr Kennedy’s leadership the party increased its number of MPs from 52 to 53.
Drinking problems forced him from the party’s leadership the following year, however, bringing Nick Clegg’s predecessor, Sir Menzies Campbell, to the role.
Mr Kennedy married Sarah Gurling, then a senior public relations figure for lottery company Camelot, in 2002.
A source told the Mail newspaper: “Sarah is an incredibly nice and tolerant woman. As a committed Christian, she did everything to try and make the marriage work.
“Their split is entirely amicable and they really are still friends. But they have been leading more or less separate lives for some time.”
