LIBERAL Democrat deputy leader Alan Beith told an inquest how his son, Christopher, had struggled with diabetes from an early age, on top of the grief he felt over his mother's death and other difficulties.

The 25-year-old was found dead in the family home at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, last June, after taking an insulin overdose. North Northumberland Coroner Ian McCreath recorded an open verdict.

Mr Beith told yesterday's hearing his son "had no clear intention of taking his own life, and there is ample evidence of the many arrangements and plans he had made for the days ahead".

He said his son had been insulin-dependent from the age of two and that his control over his condition was "sometimes poor, particularly if he was depressed".

"At the time of his death, Christopher was depressed," said Mr Beith. "He never ceased to grieve for his mother, my wife Barbara, who died over two years ago."

Mr Beith said Christopher's grief was compounded by the loss of both his grandmothers and an aunt during the period since his mother's death, which was followed by the break-up of a long-standing and close relationship with his girlfriend earlier this year.

The inquest heard that Christopher, who worked as a salesman, was last seen three days before his body was found by his sister, Caroline, in his bedroom, with syringes and medication for his diabetes next to him.

Mr McCreath said there was sufficient doubt over Christopher's state of mind, because of his medication and condition, to rule out a verdict of suicide.

After the hearing, Mr Beith said: "Life presented Christopher with all sorts of difficulties, which closed in on him in the end, but they could not stop him bringing delight to his family, his friends, the community and everyone with whom he had dealings, and we are all missing him very painfully."