Labour stalwart and National Union of Journalists "member of honour" Tony Benn was given an emotional send off today as figures as diverse as a former IRA commander, hard-right Tory opponents and a television impressionist gathered in Westminster to pay their respects.
Cherie Blair joined leading Labour figures, including leader Ed Miliband, shadow chancellor Ed Balls and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper in St Margaret's Church, which was packed to its 750-strong capacity, for the funeral of the former cabinet minister.
Among the mourners were Unite union boss Len McCluskey, impressionist Rory Bremner and leading figures from television news, including ITN newsreader Alastair Stewart and the BBC's Robert Peston.
Outside, hundreds of well wishers gathered to listen to the service, which was being broadcast on loudspeakers, and frequently cheered and broke into applause as Benn's family shared memories.
Benn joined the NUJ in January 1950 when he was working for the BBC and opened Headland House, when the union moved into its new headquarters in King's Cross in 2001. He spoke at NUJ events and will be remembered for his writing and journalism.
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