Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has accused activists behind a songbook that includes ditties mocking Charles Kennedy’s alcoholism of “misjudging the mood” of the party.
The newly-printed 2015 Glee club booklet refers to Mr Kennedy, who died of a major haemorrhage linked to his drinking in June, “downing bottles in a trice”.
To the tune of the hymn Eternal Father Strong to Save, it continues: “Oh hear us Charlie when we ask, To share the contents of your flask.”
Another describes him as “a lovely little leader but a bugger when he’s p****d”.
Ahead of the traditional, last night of conference sing-a-long, Mr Rennie was seen urging activists selling copies to ensure those that mention Mr Kennedy’s drinking were not performed.
He described the decision to dedicate the 26th edition, compiled by satirical magazine Liberator, to the hugely popular politician as “respectful”.
The front bears a photo of him with a tribute below that reads: “Farewell to a dear friend. Mr Kennedy was more singed against than singing.”
But Mr Rennie criticised the inclusion of the songs, revealed the same day members watched a special video tribute to their well-loved colleague, whose battle with alcohol has been well-documented.
Mr Rennie told The Press & Journal there was a “genuine sense of sadness” at the party conference in Bournemouth, which is the first following his tragic death.
He added: “Charles was hugely respected and admired across the whole party.
“Liberator, which is a fringe organisation, has misjudged the mood of the party.”
John Hemming, who plays the keyboard at the Glee club gatherings, said Mr Kennedy had regularly attended the annual event.
The former Birmingham Yardley MP told the paper James Gurling, Mr Kennedy’s former brother-in-law, had been contacted and that the family was happy with the songbook’s contents.
“We don’t want to excise him from history,” Mr Hemming added, but admitted one number – a version of the Skye Boat Song – had been removed.
The original was played by a string ensemble as Mr Kennedy’s ex-wife Sarah Gurling and their 10-year-old son Donald arrived at his funeral.
Its alternative lyrics reportedly read: “Where is the man? Down in the bar, Loudly the Whips proclaim. Out on the town, Out of his head, Charlie is p***ed again.”
The lyrics in the booklet, which was on sale at conference for £5, are sung to well-known tunes and ridicule many leading Lib Dem figures and the predicaments that the party has faced.
A source in Lib Dem leader Tim Farron’s team made clear Glee club is not an official party event.