There is a great deal of innuendo in that piece with the link above, and virtually nothing to demonstrate that any of the alleged failings were due to excessive drinking.

The two instances of allegedly excessive drinking where the drinking is allegedly quantified are frankly so prissily picky as to make me doubt the whole thing. 5 half-glasses of wine is under a bottle. 3 bottles- three glasses is on average a bottle of wine each. Oh wow!

Then again there is the catch 22 of it all. Deny you are an alcoholic and you are in denial - and so of course really an acoholic and not to be trusted. Admit you are an alcoholic and so you are not to be trusted.

We perhaps get the leaders we deserve. Look how we treated the only parliamentary party leader who seemed to be a decent chap. And look at that "press secretary". Kennedy and the party should sue her for breach of confidence, and make sure the next one engaged signs a confidentiality agreement like the ones the Blairs use for their nannies.

And yes I have known and do know alcoholics. The fact that they are alcoholics does not absolve one of the obligation to behave with decency towards them. Stuff you puritans.