FORMER Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy died from "major haemorrhage" due to his alcoholism, his family have said.
In a statement, his relatives said: "Ultimately this was an illness Charles could not conquer."
The former Liberal Democrat leader died suddenly at his home in Fort William on Monday.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Kennedy from across the political spectrum.
His ex-wife, Sarah, and 10-year-old son Donald attended a special session in the House of Commons yesterday where MPs paid their respects.
Prime Minister David Cameron called Mr Kennedy the ''most human of politicians'' and - at his best - ''the best that politics can be''.
MPs shared their memories of the ex-Highland MP's ''courageous'' opposition to the Iraq War, his compassion, his humour and his ability to connect with people of all backgrounds.
Police Scotland said there were no suspicious circumstances and that a post-mortem examination would be carried out but it has now been reported that further tests are needed.
A full report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "We can confirm that further tests are being carried out to establish the cause of death.Jackie Ballard, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, insisted the former Liberal Democrat leader should not be defined by his drink problem, but claimed it could be used to help others. Ms Ballard, who is a former parliamentary colleague of Mr Kennedy, said: "Let's not define Charles Kennedy by his alcoholism. That would be awful because he did so much with his life and he was so much more than that. "But if we can use it as a way to start conversations about alcohol so that other people can get help and treatment before they get to the point of being addicted, then that would be a positive thing." Ms Ballard stood against Mr Kennedy in the Lib Dem leadership contest in 1999 and said his death demonstrated how the disease can affect anyone. "Addiction to alcohol has no respect of status, income or anything else in life and too often people's impression of an alcoholic is somebody who is a street drinker or homeless. "There are 1.4 million people in this country who are dependent on alcohol and they are all around us. They are in our families, they are in our work places and tragically Charles was one of many," she said. Ms Ballard, who was the MP for Taunton from 1997 to 2001, said the culture of the House of Commons can lead to an increased alcohol intake. "There are fewer bars than when I was there but there are still a number of bars and it's a work place where serious decisions are made," she said. "It was very easy to get into a habit when you're there for a late evening vote to have one or two glasses of wine with a meal." She added: "I do think Parliament should look very carefully at its pastoral care of members." The former MP added that people find it difficult to admit to drink problems because of the prominent role of alcohol in society. She said: "In our culture, where we're surrounded by booze and where often people question why you don't drink rather than why you do drink, it's difficult for someone to say 'I have got a problem'." She said there was "undoubtedly a lot of help available" for sufferers, but warned that it is a tough condition to treat. "Everyone should assume that there is help available for them to get," she said. "But it is an addiction and it is very difficult for people to fight an addiction.
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