Mourners gather to pay respects to Ian Campbell

FUNERAL: Politicians from all sides put their differences aside

Politicians from all parties joined family and friends at the funeral of Perth and Kinross Council leader Ian Campbell, who died suddenly earlier this month.

Hundreds of mourners gathered in St John’s Kirk in Perth for one of the city’s largest funerals of recent years.

Mr Campbell, who represented Highland Perthshire since 2007, had only been leader of the administration for 10 months.

His Conservative colleague, Provost Dennis Melloy, spoke of his friend’s “wicked sense of humour”.

He also paid tribute to Mr Campbell’s tireless efforts to ensure that the people of Highland Perthshire were well represented in council matters.

Raising educational standards and rural health care services were among Mr Campbell’s particular passions, said the provost.

“Ian was a big man with a big heart and we will miss him,” he said.

Among those to pay tribute to 66-yearold Mr Campbell was his sister Lorraine Fullbrook, the former Conservative MP for South Ribble, who described him as “witty, mischievous, loyal and great fun”.

She concentrated on her brother’s early years and, to laughter, recounted quotes from his school report cards, which had caused his parents some anguish.

After school he attended the London School of Economics, claiming he opted for it as an educational establishment because his musical hero Mick Jagger had studied there.

His love of music and the Rolling Stones in particular was reflected in the choice of the band’s Wild Horses to open the service.

He was also a keen cook who thrived on “discussion, debate and arguing”, said his sister.

Before entering local politics Mr Campbell worked throughout Britain for Cadbury.

The Rev John Murdoch, who led the service, described him as a “Glasgow man who Perthshire took to his heart”.

He said Mr Campbell would be remembered firstly as a family man and then for his public service.

Mr Murdoch spoke of the suddenness of Mr Campbell’s death for his family, wife Pam and twin daughters Louise and Emma.

Mr Campbell was buried in Aberfeldy Cemetery.

Pictures: Angus Findlay. Left: mourners leaving the church following the funeral service. Below, clockwise from left: Mr Campbell’s widow, Pam, speaking with Mr Murdoch; Pete Wishart MP and John Swinney MSP; Provost Dennis Melloy with Perth and Kinross Council chief executive...

Ian Campbell was leader of Perth and Kinross Council.