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FORMER Liberal leader Charles Kennedy broke ranks last night to attack the Con-Dems' ruthless spending cuts.

In the first sign of a major crack in the coalition, Kennedy issued a stark warning to Nick Clegg and PM David Cameron.

He said it was important not to "throw the baby out with the bath water" when deciding where and how deep to wield the axe.

The Scot - who led the Lib Dems for seven years - is the first high profile Government backbencher to speak out against the wanton slashing of goverment expenditure.

And the Highland MP's decision to voice his opposition to party leader Nick Clegg and Tory Cameron was warmly welcomed by Labour last night.

Shadow Scottish secretary Jim Murphy said: "This is a real sign of cracks in the coalition and a real embarrassment to Nick Clegg.

"The Tories and Lib Dems are cutting harder and faster than is safe and Scottish families and businesses will pay the price. Charlie Kennedy knows how angry people here are now."

Kennedy was speaking yesterday after he made his final speech as rector of Glasgow University.

He said he was dismayed at the cuts in finance for universities and the effects that cuts planned by his party and their Tory coalition partners might have on rural areas.

Last month, the Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP laughed off suggestions that he was about to jump ship to Labour.

Kennedy, who stood down as party leader in 2006 and split from his wife this summer, has battled alcoholism in the past.

But he remains one of the most popular Lib Dem MPs.