Last month Lord Ashdown revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer
Former leader of the Liberal Democrats Lord Paddy Ashdown has died aged 77.
Following a short illness, the man who led the party from 1988 to 1999, passed away.
The Lib Dems announced the news in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we announce that Paddy Ashdown passed away earlier this evening following a short illness.
"Paddy will be desperately missed by everyone at the Liberal Democrats as a dear friend and colleague, and remembered as someone who made an immeasurable contribution to furthering the cause of liberalism."
