Pregnancy scare for Kennedy's wife

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy cut short the first day of his election tour after his pregnant wife was taken to hospital, his official spokeswoman said today.

Mr Kennedy had been due to fly from Farnborough airport in Hampshire to Totnes in Devon, but he drove back to London to be with his wife Sarah who is due to give birth in the next few weeks.

Mr Kennedy's spokeswoman said: "Sarah has gone into hospital. Charles has spoken to her and he says she is fine. He is now going back to London to be with her."

Mrs Kennedy is due to give birth in the middle of this month. It was not known if she had gone into labour.

The Lib Dems had been due to launch their election manifesto tomorrow. The party is now deciding whether to put that on hold.

Mr Kennedy had earlier made it clear he would take paternity leave if the birth of his first child came during the election campaign. The party has drawn up contingency plans to carry on the campaign without him.