Charles Kennedy, the former leader of the Liberal Democrats has rubbished the idea that he is planning to join the Labour Party, due to his discontent at being in coalition with the Conservatives.

On Saturday there were reports that Kennedy had been holding informal talks with Labour whips. Kennedy's slowness to respond to the reports further heightened speculation that there might be some truth to the rumours.

However speaking to the Mail on Sunday Kennedy said that any talk of him joining Labour was "absolute rubbish" and that he would "go out of this world feet first with my Lib Dem membership card in my pocket".

"I am not joining the Labour Party and have not had any discussions about it with anyone from the Labour Party," he added.

The former Lib Dem leader has previously stated that he did not support the idea of forming a coalition with the Conservatives and, like many in his party, felt his politics to be more in tune with those of the Labour party.

Labour leadership contender Ed Miliband also denied having any talks with Kennedy, but added that many Lib Dem MPs and activists appeared unhappy about the Coalition and that they are welcome to join the Labour Party.