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Paddy Ashdown's funeral held in Somerset | Paddy Ashdown's funeral held in Somerset |
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Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown has been remembered at a private funeral in Somerset. | Former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown has been remembered at a private funeral in Somerset. |
Lord Ashdown died aged 77 in December after a short illness. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October. | Lord Ashdown died aged 77 in December after a short illness. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in October. |
The former Yeovil MP's funeral, held in his home village of Norton-sub-Hamdon, was attended by family, friends and former prime minister Sir John Major. | The former Yeovil MP's funeral, held in his home village of Norton-sub-Hamdon, was attended by family, friends and former prime minister Sir John Major. |
Hundreds of people people watched the service on TV screens in the village hall. | |
Paddy Ashdown led the Liberal Democrats between 1988 and 1999 before standing down from Parliament in 2001 to become the United Nations' high representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina. | Paddy Ashdown led the Liberal Democrats between 1988 and 1999 before standing down from Parliament in 2001 to become the United Nations' high representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina. |
Christened Jeremy, he was given the nickname Paddy when he went to school in England after spending his childhood years in Northern Ireland. | |
"Locally, you wouldn't get away with any other name," the Rev Peter Thomas told about 40 mourners at St Mary's Church. | |
"God also knew him as Paddy, not Jeremy, and probably didn't call him Lord," he joked. | "God also knew him as Paddy, not Jeremy, and probably didn't call him Lord," he joked. |
One of the speakers at the service, Myles Wickstead, said Lord Ashdown "espoused the values of openness and tolerance, and he found them in this village which he loved". | |
"He was never happier than when at the Lord Nelson on a Friday night, indulging in a mixture of arguments, fun, gossip, banter and, of course, drink. | |
"Our community and our country now are poorer that Paddy has gone," he added. | |
After his death, politicians from all parties paid tribute to him, with Prime Minister Teresa May saying he "served his country with passion and distinction". |