The Houses of Parliament priest this morning paid his own heartfelt tribute to the late Charles Kennedy MP ahead of his funeral this afternoon.
Canon Pat Browne recalled that on the eve of the General Election, Mr Kennedy had sent him a text to say he would be praying on election day “not for myself but for my country.”
Canon Browne said he would treasure receiving that final text from Mr Kennedy, who attended Wednesday mass in the Houses of Parliament chapel on a regular basis.
A number of high profile politicians gathered this morning in Lochaber for the former Liberal Democrat leader’s funeral.
More than 500 people are expected to attend the noon service at St John’s the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in the village of Caol, and the day has been graced with a full Ben Nevis backdrop on what has turned out to be a clear morning of sunshine.
Among those attending are ex Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and one of Mr Kennedy’s closest friends, former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell.
During this afternoon’s service, 14 children from St Columba’s Roman Catholic primary school at Lochyside, Caol, will sing the psalm O God, You search me and You know men.
Mr Kennedy’s family have chosen the psalms Christ be beside me, Our God loves us, He the Lord of sea and sky, Soul of my saviour and How great thou art.
A close friend of Mr Kennedy’s, Brian McBride will give a eulogy after Communion.
The former MP died last week, at the age of 55, after suffering a haemorrhage related to his alcoholism.
