Paul McDowell’s wife is the deputy managing director of a private justice company that runs some UK probation services

My most vivid memory of Alan Beith, the cuddly, waddling Liberal Democrat MP is of meeting him on Victoria street in Westminster, London, sporting a broad-brimmed black fedora worthy of a Mafia don. It was during his 1988 campaign against Paddy Ashdown for the party leadership. But the black fedora was not enough to overcome his often noted 'charisma bypass'. He lost, and became a loyal deputy to Mr Ashdown and later Charles Kennedy.

The Liberal Democrat deputy leader, Alan Beith, last night described as a "crushing blow" the sudden death of his son, Christopher, 23.