Racing pundit's outburst stuns Cook mourners

Speaking in front of most of Britain's leading Labour politicians, Mr Cook's good friend accused the Prime Minister of "petty vindictiveness".

He contrasted the decision to remain on a family holiday in the Caribbean with former premiere Margaret Thatcher's attendance at her old rival Ted Heath's funeral earlier this year.

Mr McCririck told more than 700 mourners, including Chancellor Gordon Brown, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and most of Mr Blair's Cabinet, that Mr Blair had snubbed Mr Cook's widow Gaynor and the rest of the family by staying on holiday.

He said: "What an impressive attendance we've all got. All of us have changed our plans to show our respect and affection for Robin and for Gaynor and the boys and the family.

"But there is just one exception to that - and that's the nation's leader, the prime minister.

"Now Margaret Thatcher, of course, she attended Ted Heath's service.

"I believe the prime minister's snub to Robin's family, to millions of New Labour voters, demonstrates a petty vindictiveness and a moral failure, opting to continue snorkelling instead of doing his duty. What a contrast with Lady Thatcher."

The racing pundit said that, even though Margaret Thatcher was not a fan of the late prime minister Ted Heath, she had still attended his funeral.

Mr McCririck's comments were met with a loud cheer by hundreds of members of the public who had lined the Royal Mile to hear a relay of the service on loudspeakers.

Mr Cook's widow heard the savage criticism as she sat flanked by his sons Peter and Christopher.

The funeral earlier heard tribute paid to "one of Scotland's greatest sons" as Chancellor Gordon Brown said the former foreign secretary's passing left a gap "which can never be properly filled".

Making the principal tribute to Mr Cook, who died after falling ill while hillwalking, he described his Labour colleague as "the greatest parliamentarian of our time".

Readings were also given by Mr Cook's children, Christopher and Peter.

The service began with an introduction by Bishop Richard Holloway who described Mr Cook as "a Presbyterian atheist".

The Scottish Episcopal Church's former bishop of Edinburgh told mourners how Mr Cook's son Chris had received a text message from his father just an hour before he died.

It read: "Am at top of Ben Stack, view of Arkle and Foinaven can't be seen for mist - weather foul. Wish you were here."

Mr Holloway said the words revealed a lot about Mr Cook.

He explained: "He was on the rooftop of Scotland with the woman he adored, he was thinking of the sons he loved with all his heart, he was making a joke about the Scottish weather and, for those in the know, Arkle and Foinaven are peaks after which two famous steeplechasers were named.

"Robin was always able to pack a lot into a few words just as he packed a lot into the too few years he was allotted."

Following the psalm The Lord Is My Shepherd, Christopher Cook, 31, read a passage from his father's political memoir The Point Of Departure.

He told mourners: "When I was 12 my dad said to me, in a friendly way, 'by the time I was your age, I had read all of Dickens and most of Scott'."

"Twenty years later, I'm afraid I still can't claim to be as well read as my dad was before he was even a teenager.

"But I did at least manage to read his book while there was still time to discuss it with him."

In his eulogy, Gordon Brown said Mr Cook's passing had left a gap that could never properly be filled.

He said: "Amid the grief that so many feel at Robin's tragic loss, so sudden, so unexpected, we take comfort today that so many have come together from so many parts of the world to celebrate Robin's life, and that we gather here in the heart of Edinburgh, within half a mile of the old Royal High School and of Edinburgh University where Robin first developed the commitment to justice that shaped his life work.

"Only a few yards from his first constituency office where he began 31 years of tireless work as an MP translating that principle commitment to social justice into practical social change.

"And today here as we celebrate Robin's life and mourn our loss our thoughts and prayers are with those closest to him for whom the grief is greatest, his wife Gaynor, who shared his ideals, lovingly supported him in his work and was at his side as he passed away; Peter and Christopher, his sons to whom he was so devoted and to whom he was so justifiably proud.

"Robin's passing leaves a gap that can never properly be filled.

"In the six days since he was taken from us, Tony Blair, John Prescott, all who have spoken or written from all political persuasions and none, have rightly praised Robin's singular achievements as MP, Foreign Secretary, Leader of the House of Commons and Robin's unsurpassed mastery of Parliament.

"Today we salute him as the most accomplished parliamentarian of his generation."

Mr Brown mentioned Mr Cook joined tens of thousands of people on the Make Poverty History march in the Capital last month.

He added: "Whenever there was injustice he sought to right it, wherever there was poverty he fought a war against it.

"He was in politics not to be something but to do something. Wherever and whenever there was poverty, injustice and unfairness, this is where Robin's voice became a mighty force, locally, nationally and internationally."

Glasgow Central MP Mohammed Sarwar, speaking on behalf of Scotland's Muslim communities, also paid tribute.

He said: "He had a special affection among minority communities and in particular, the Muslim community.

"I have been involved in politics for some 30 years and in that time I can honestly say that I have never come across a more principled politician."

Shetland fiddler Aly Bain and his musical partner accordionist Phil Cunningham gave a recital.

Among the mourners were comedian and impressionist Rory Bremner, Defence Secretary John Reid, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and wife Pauline, Transport Secretary and Edinburgh MP Alistair Darling, and Work and Pensions Secretary David Blunkett. Former Scotland star Ally McCoist was also expected to attend.

Armed forces minister Adam Ingram, former Aberdeen MP Anne Begg, Solicitor General Harriet Harman and former International Development Secretary Clare Short, who like Mr Cook resigned from the Government over Iraq, also attended.

Scottish justice minister Cathy Jamieson was accompanied by Kilmarnock and Loudon MSP Margaret Jamieson.

Irish Labour's former leader Ruairi Quinn and Scottish parliamentary business minister Margaret Curran also attended the service.

SNP leader Alex Salmond attended along with Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy and his deputy Sir Menzies Campbell.

They were followed into West Parliament Square by Baroness Shirley Williams and Lord Maclennan of Rogart.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott earlier defended the Prime Minister's decision not to attend the funeral, and said he would attend a memorial service later in the year.