European leaders at Smith funeral

JOHN MAJOR and an array of international political leaders will be among the 500 invited mourners at the funeral of John Smith, the Labour leader, at Cluny Church in Edinburgh this morning, writes Donald Macintyre.

Lord Callaghan, Labour's last prime minister, will represent the Queen at the funeral, which is also expected to attract large crowds outside the church.

The service, conducted by Mr Smith's local minister, the Rev George Munro, is to be relayed live to the Methodist Central Hall in London and other centres round the country. It will also be broadcast live on radio and television. European party leaders, past and present, will attend.

Mr Smith will be buried on the island of Iona tomorrow.