From Nick Clegg:
This is such sad news. I knew David for years and he was widely loved and admired in the party. He was a gentle and patient man with great integrity and an impressive career in journalism.
I will always remember him for his great sense of humour at the most difficult or challenging times. He will be hugely missed by all of us in the party and our thoughts are with his family.
From Ming Campbell:
David Walter was a professional to his fingertips. He was universally respected and admired by his fellow journalists and held in great affection by the Liberal Democrats, for whom he worked so tirelessly and with such success.
He had borne his illness with good humour and courage.
His many friends in the media and in our party have lost a good companion and a fine journalist.
* Mary Reid is a contributing editor on Lib Dem Voice. She was a councillor in Kingston upon Thames, where she is still very active with the local party, and is the Hon President of Kingston Lib Dems.