John Major leads mourners at funeral of Paddy Ashdown
Lord Ashdown’s wife is joined by John Major and fellow mourners at funeral of former Lib Dem leader following his death from cancer aged 77 last month
- Paddy Ashdown was a Royal Marine who later served as leader of the Liberal Democrats from 1988 to 1999
- The 77-year-old revealed last month he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer and died weeks later
Sir John Major was among mourners celebrating the life of Royal Marine turned statesman Paddy Ashdown at his funeral today.
Lord Ashdown’s wife Jane managed a smile as she was supported by friends at Norton Sub Hamdon, near Yeovil in Somerset today.
The former leader of the Liberal Democrats died surrounded by his family on December 22, aged 77, just weeks after revealing he was battling bladder cancer.
Ex-prime minister Sir John Major joined the congregation to say goodbye to the former MP called a ‘true patriot’ in tributes.
Paddy Ashdown’s widow Jane (centre) managed a smile as she was supported by loved-ones at her husband’s Somerset funeral today
Sir John Major was also among mourners celebrating the life of the former Liberal Democrat leader, who died aged 77 last month
Lord Ashdown’s body is carried on its final journey into the church at Norton Sub Hamdon, near Yeovil in Somerset today
Lord Ashdown died of bladder cancer just three weeks after he revealed he was undergoing treatment
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In an extraordinary life he quit school before his A-Levels to join the Royal Marines and would later join Britain’s he elite Special Boat Service, the seagoing equivalent of the SAS, and embers of the Armed Forces were also at his funeral today.
Tributes have poured in for former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown, pictured last year at the Henley Literary Festial
Paddy moved into politics and was elected as MP for Yeovil, Somerset, in 1983.
He then took over the Liberal Democrats in 1988 after its crushing 1987 General Election, leading it to a stunning breakthrough at the 1992 election.
He was extolled as one of the ‘most talented politicians never to hold high office’ after being eclipsed by Labour’s 1997 Election having been on the brink of a coalition government.
After stepping down as leader in 1999, Mr Ashdown – who served in the Special Forces – was knighted and then made a peer as Lord Ashdown of Norton-sub-Hamdon.
He became High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2002, and was an active campaigner for Remain in the 2016 referendum.
The Prime Minister led a chorus of cross-party tributes, remembering a man who ‘served his country with distinction’.
Theresa May said: ‘It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Lord Ashdown. He dedicated his life to public service and he will be sorely missed. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this difficult time.’
Current Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable said it was ‘a hugely sad day’ for the party and everyone else across politics ‘who had immense affection and respect for Paddy’.
‘He was famous for his politics, but his talents extended well beyond that arena. He was an accomplished author, and had spent many years serving the country before he got near the House of Commons.
‘Few people know how hard he fought to get into politics following his service in the Marines and diplomatic service.’
Paddy’s widow is accompanied by family into the church for the funeral, which was not open to the public
Sir John Major is greeted by the vicar of St Mary’s Church. Norton Sub Hamdon, who led the funeral service
Mourners packed the church today to mark and remember the life that ended so suddenly on December 22
Members of the Royal Marines band arrive at the church to celebrate the life of the serviceman turned statesman
A pony sporting yellow Liberal Democrat rosettes was walked into the churchyard in South Somerset today
Former Conservative Prime Minister Sir John Major hailed his one- time rival as ‘a man of duty, passion and devotion to the country he loved – right up to the very end’.
‘In government, Paddy Ashdown was my opponent,’ he added. ‘In life, he was a much-valued friend. Throughout his life, Paddy was a true patriot, whose overriding wish was to serve his country: first, in the Marines, and then in both Houses of Parliament.
‘I can attest to the fact that – even when he knew he was gravely ill –Paddy’s concern for the future of our country continued to dominate his thinking.’
And fellow 1990s sparring partner Tony Blair, with whom Ashdown held talks about forming a coalition in 1997, said he was ‘deeply saddened and shocked by the news about Paddy’.
‘I had enormous admiration for Paddy as a man and as a political visionary and leader.
‘He was one of the most talented politicians never to hold high office but as leader of the Liberal Democrats he nonetheless had a major impact on British political life.’
Paddy Ashdown, pictured here with his wife Jane, and dog Luke, died earlier today aged 77
Ashdown, second right, began his military career in the Royal Marine Commandos
Ashdown, right, pictured in Borneo, was also in the Special Boat Service, the Marine version of the SAS
In 1988, Ashdown, pictured with his wife, was elected leader of the newly created Social and Liberal Democratic Party which saw a merger between the SDP and the Liberals
Ashdown, pictured here with John Major and Tony Blair in 1995, received tributes from across the political spectrum
Ashdown was a hugely-respected figure on the world stage despite never being a Government minister (pictured with Nelson Mandela in 1996)
The former party leader, pictured at the party’s spring conference in 2015, was the UN’s High Representative for Bosnia and Herszegovina between 2002 and 2006
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