Charles Kennedy not ruling out his return

10.20.37am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 23rd Jun 2006

Charles Kennedy stood down as Lib Demleader in January

Charles Kennedy refused to rule out returning as Liberal Democrat leader at some point in the future. Mr Kennedy, who quit as leader in January, was asked on BBC One's Question Time whether there was any chance he might lead the party again. He replied: "Who knows? The one thing we can all be sure about in politics is you are as well to expect the unexpected." But Mr Kennedy urged people not to misconstrue his remarks. "I don't want a headline saying 'Kennedy suggests this or implies that'," he said.

And he defended his successor, Sir Menzies Campbell, whose leadership style has come under fire in recent weeks. "For any new leader of any party at any given time it takes time if you are not in government to establish yourself," said Mr Kennedy, citing his own experience.