CHARLES Kennedy last night confessed he had a drink problem and challenged his critics within the Liberal Democrat party to face him in a leadership battle.

In a dramatic statement, Mr Kennedy claimed to have beaten his secret battle with alcohol.

But he insisted he wanted to keep the job he has held for the past six years and said it was now only fair to give Lib Dem members the opportunity to vote him out of office.

After weeks of rumours that Mr Kennedy's job was on the line because of discontent among fellow MPs, he appeared in front of the cameras at his party's HQ.

He said: "Over the past 18 months, I've been coming to terms with and seeking to cope with a drinking problem, and I've come to learn through that process that a drink problem is a serious problem indeed.

"It's serious for yourself and it's serious for those around you.

"I've sought professional help and I believe, today, that this issue is essentially resolved."

He said he had not had a drink for the past two months and did not intend to do so in future.

"I consider myself to be capable and in good health and I remain politically determined as the leader of our party," he said.

He added that he had received tremendous support from the party membership.

"It is a privilege to serve as their leader and I want to continue doing so," he said.

Two of the potential leadership front-runners swiftly ruled themselves out of a race against Mr Kennedy.

Foreign affairs spokesman Sir Menzies Campbell and home affairs spokesman Mark Oaten said they would take no part in the ballot.

Party president Simon Hughes said he would make no announcement on whether he would stand until he had fulfilled his official function in chairing the committee overseeing the election arrangements.

Former Newcastle City councillor Lembit Opik, the party's Northern Ireland spokesman and leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, strongly supported Mr Kennedy.

Mr Opik said: "He hasn't resigned with dignity, he has decided to carry on with courage and dignity.

"What he has done, though, is taken the taboo out of the problems of alcoholism."

Last night, senior Lib Dems from the North-East and North Yorkshire applauded Mr Kennedy for confessing his alcohol problems.

Robert Adamson, twice a parliamentary candidate in Darlington and recently appointed a deputy president of the national party, said: "All credit to him for his courage in admitting it to himself and admitting it publicly, because I think that's part of the rehabilitation process."

But he stopped short of backing Mr Kennedy in a leadership election.

Chris Foote Wood, leader of the Lib Dems on Wear Valley District Council, in County Durham, said: "I think Charles has been a first-class leader who has given us our best results for three-quarters of a century."

Suzanne Fletcher, Lib Dem group leader on Stockton Borough Council, said: "I respect his honesty in coming out with what he has.

"It's a very personal problem and I think it must have been extremely difficult to confront the Press."

Diana Wallis, Lib Dem MEP for North Yorkshire, said: "This is an honest admission by Charles. It is sad yet brave to make such a public statement, but he needs space to sort this out in his own way."

Mr Kennedy's statement was said to have been prompted after ITV News contacted him with detailed allegations about a long-term drinking problem.

It was also reported that, for the second time in weeks, a Lib Dem front-bench round robin had been circulated - although never sent - pleading with Mr Kennedy to face up to his dilemma, and signed by 11 senior colleagues