Labour big beasts pay their respects to Glenys Kinnock: Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Keir Starmer join mourners at funeral for ‘formidable’ ex-MEP

Labour big beasts including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Keir Starmer gathered to pay their respects to Glenys Kinnock today.

The funeral of the ex-MEP, wife of former leader Neil Kinnock, has been taking place in Golders Green, north London.

The two previous inhabitants of Downing Street were in attendance, along with Sir Keir, Lord Mandelson and a host of current and former stars of the Labour political scene.

Baroness Kinnock served as an MEP for some 15 years before leaving Brussels in 2009 to take up a life peerage when Mr Brown appointed her minister for Europe.

The 79-year -old died peacefully in her sleep earlier this month with her husband by her side. She had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago.

Her son Stephen Kinnock, a Labour MP, and daughter Rachel said they were ‘devastated’, describing her as ‘a truly formidable person in every single way’.

Stephen Kinnock, Lord Neil Kinnock and Rachel Kinnock watch as the coffin is taken inside the crematorium today

Keir Starmer was at the funeral for Glenys Kinnock in Golders Green today 

Tony Blair and wife Cherie were on hand to pay their respects to their former colleague

Lord Mandelson and one of Mr Blair’s former No10 gatekeepers Kate Garvey arriving for the ceremony 

Baroness Kinnock died peacefully in her sleep earlier this month with her husband by her side (pictured together in their political prime). She had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago

Former No10 spin chief Alastair Campbell and ex-Cabinet ministers Lord Mandelson and Ed Balls were seen arriving for the ceremony.

Charles Clarke and Margaret Beckett were also on hand to pay tribute.

Current frontbenchers there included Ed Miliband, Yvette Cooper and Hilary Benn, as well as London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Actress Anna Maxwell Martin was also present.  

Former Cabinet minister Charles Clarke was at the service for Lady Kinnock today 

Ed Balls, now a TV presenter, and Ed Miliband were there today

Actress Anna Maxwell Martin was also present

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