The Weld news comes in the midst of a dismal time for Mr Kennedy, as his ex-wife touts her new book accusing Mr Kennedy of contempt for the Catholic procedure of annulment.

ECONOMIST: Massachusetts

And on July 28th Mr Weld resigned as governor in order to dedicate himself full-time to fighting Mr Helms, leaving Massachusetts to Paul Cellucci, his loyal lieutenant-governor.

ECONOMIST: The Helms-Weld war

Although it had always been in the background, he "decided it was time for art" in 1965, and attended a local college in Greenock to learn how to weld.

BBC: Obituary: George Wyllie