Charles Kennedy Resigns

On 6 January 2006, Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, was informed that ITN would be reporting that he had received treatment for a drinking problem.

He decided to pre-empt the broadcast, called a sudden news conference, and made a personal statement that over the past eighteen months he had been coming to terms with a drinking problem, but had sought professional help.

Kennedy announced on 7 January that he would step down as leader.

It was later claimed that the source for ITN’s story was his former press secretary turned ITV News correspondent, Daisy McAndrew.