Politicians from Oxfordshire have paid tribute to former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy who has died suddenly at home.

The 55-year-old has served as an MP for 32 years, but was ousted from his Ross, Skye and Lochaber constituency last month as the Scottish National Party swept the board in the general election north of the border.

Police were called to his house in Fort William yesterday after being alerted by the ambulance service.

The cause of death is not yet known but it is not thought to be suspicious.

Father-of-one Mr Kennedy was leader of the Liberal Democrats between 1999 and January 2006 when he stood down after admitting he had a problem with alcohol.

Nick Clegg paid tribute to his predecessor as party leader, saying: "Charles’ untimely death robs Britain as one of the most gifted poilitcians of his generation."

Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron tweeted: "I'm deeply saddened by the death of Charles Kennedy.

"He was a talented politician who has died too young. My thoughts are with his family."

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey added: "Absolutely stunned to hear Charles Kennedy has died. He was such a nice man, gone far too soon."

Oxfordshire Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder said Mr Kennedy was a "larger than life character".

She added: "He had a great wit and connected with people and communities.

"I've campaigned with him many times in Oxford - on the Cowley Road when we stopped the traffic so large were the crowds - after which Charles spent a long time with the disabled son of a supporter, despite all the stress and demands of a packed day.

"It's just such a huge, huge loss."

Liberal Democrat city councillor Jean Fooks described Mr Kennedy’s death as a “terrible shock”.

She added: "He had a wonderful sense of humour and equally he was very competent indeed.

"He stood up for what he believed to be right, and opposed the Gulf War.

"Following Paddy Ashdown was always going to be a difficult job and Charles did it very well.

"He was a real character with personal principles and Liberal convictions."

Mr Kennedy’s political career began in the Social Democrat Party, winning the Ross, Cromarty and Skye seat in 1983 to become the youngest MP at the time at the age of 24.

In the 2005 general election Mr Kennedy took the party to one of its best general election results, winning 62 seats.