Shirley Williams has confirmed that Charles Kennedy will be taking up an 'ambassadorial' role for the Liberal Democrats in the next few months.
Speaking on the BBC2's Daily Politics programme, Baroness Williams praised the deposed leader's speech to the party conference yesterday and brushed aside rumours that Kennedy had refused to shake new leader Ming Campbell's hand or have him onstage during the address.
Kennedy received two standing ovations during his address yesterday, which Williams described as having "none of the spiteful undertones" of other political leaders towards their successors.
"It wasn't sycophantic to Ming ... it was a speech of someone committed to the party."
Former leader Paddy Ashdown and many newspapers this morning attempted to portray the speech as a 'farewell performance' from Kennedy, which Williams, a close friend of his, firmly dismissed.
She revealed that Kennedy will be taking up a role as an ambassador to European liberals. In his speech to conference Kennedy referred to the struggle for liberalism in Russia, and reminded delegates that they have a much larger role in promoting their values throughout the EU and beyond.
Williams conceded that Kennedy needs "time to put the alcohol problem behind him," but significantly described the ambassadorial role as an interim one until he is well enough to return to front line politics.
Ming Campbell has indicated that he would welcome Kennedy back into the shadow cabinet. Given Kennedy's successful attempts to stage manage his conference appearance yesterday, it is clear that his leadership ambitions may not yet be drowned.
However, she gave her full support to Ming, defending him against criticism about his performance at this conference and blaming the media: "It is because he is not the TV charasmatic figure we have become used to." She predicted that Ming will lead the party into the next election.
Baroness Williams, famous for the introduction of comprehensive education during her term as education secretary, bashed the Tories and Labour, saying the had both "made education into a joyless steeplechase."
She said that sucking all the fun out of education was a major factor in rising levels of childhood mental illness.
