Kennedy's regret at missing big speech
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, has admitted that he made a mistake by failing to turn up for one of the most important announcements in the parliamentary year.
Mr Kennedy failed to take his place on the opposition benches when Chancellor Gordon Brown delivered a statement on whether sterling had passed the tests set by the Treasury as preconditions for joining the European single currency.
Interviewed for Radio 4's Desert Islands Discs, broadcast today, Mr Kennedy said: "I suppose it was a curious decision. It was a decision taken on the day, and that's just the decision I took. I suppose, looking back - and the benefit of hindsight is a great thing - if I'd imagined that it would have encouraged the kind of speculation and gossip that it did, then I would have taken the opposite decision and gone and sat in the chamber."
His absence set off rumours about his fondness for the occasional tipple, inspiring Iain Duncan Smith's swipe at him during a speech to the Tory party conference in Blackpool earlier this month. Mr Duncan Smith suggested that Mr Kennedy wanted tax rises on everything except wines and spirits.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments