Kennedy ecstatic at news

Kennedy to be a father

Kennedy to be a father

The Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has announced that he and his wife are expecting their first child.

Charles and Sarah Kennedy, who married in July 2002, are expecting the baby in April.

The couple say they are “absolutely delighted”.

In a statement, Mr Kennedy said: “We have made no secret of the fact that we wanted a family and we are very happy to be able to make this announcement.”

The couple’s parents also said they were delighted.

No other details have been released, and the couple are not planning to give any interviews on the subject.

Mr Kennedy became Liberal Democrat leader in 1999 having previously been party president and rural affairs spokesman. The couple, who have been together for over six years, got married in a private ceremony at the House of Commons chapel two years ago.

Sarah Kennedy (ne Gurling) is an executive at National Lottery operator Camelot.

At the time the couple said: “We met through politics and hope to find a balance between our public and private life. Our marriage is based on love and friendship and it’s a very private decision between two people which, in the years to come, we shall try to keep separate from the political arena.”