John McCririck upstages Robin Cook at his funeral.

[monkeytrousers]

This was so insenstive and selfish. I was just cringing. What a nob!

I have just been reflecting on why I don't agree with JMcM and think TB is not to be criticised for not interrupting his holiday to go to this funeral. And the honest answer is - JMcC is vile and once sexually harassed me (bleugh) and TB was ever so nice the time I met him and flirted with me a bit.
So, basically TB is my mate and JMcM CANNOT sit and eat his sandwiches with me, absolutely not.
Shallow and immature? Me??

lol at you,harpie!

ooh er ... I've got an internet stalker!

Did anyone see John McC on Channel 4 news? I think he might single-handedly have ensured that Gordon Brown never becomes PM

I think TB did the right thing not going - it was not a state event and OK he worked with the guy but how many of you would give up a much needed holiday to go to the funeral of someone you once worked with?? Especially if there was a memorial service later?

John McK is a dickhead of epic proportions funerals are no places for those sort of opinions to be given and really no air time should be given to him..

I think he did more than work with the guy mancmum. He was a personal friend and political ally and that's a pretty passionate relationship if you're in politics.

And that creep John McC did make one good point - if it had been Chirac or Bush, he'd have broken off his holiday.

(I'm just miffed because I've got to go to a funeral next week of someone I never liked. But I still have to go.)

but surely it is obvious he was not a friend if he is not going to the funeral? just because they were in politics together does not imply friendship -- more a case of using each other to achieve their own goals? I work long hours with a lot of people, none of whom I would ever call friends and none of whom I would break off a holiday for their funeral...

McCirick was totally out of order discussing whether Blair should have been there or not -- it was a service about Robin Cook and he has plently of opportunties to beat up Labour outside of the funeral - he is just a a tragic tory trying to score meaningless points...

Don;t understand why you need to go to a funeral of someone you did not like -- would you have left your holiday to do it?

No, but then I'm not rich like TB and my connection was very distant - much more distant than his with Cook's!!!

I have to go because the person in question was connected to my family and he came to my father's funeral, even though they couldn't stand each other! (And had it been the other way round, my father would have gone to his.) It's a mark of respect for someone's life and to the family that they have left behind, whether you liked the deceased or not. (And obviously it would be tactless to mention that you didn't!)

I think John McC was trying to do an Earl Spencer and just failed so badly.

Were they really good mates? I was a bit astounded to see him there doing a eulogy in all his purple glory.

Absolutely, Caligula. When you've worked very closely with someone for a number of years, you go to the funeral as a mark of respect for them and their family.

Tony Blair could have taken 12/24? hours out of his holiday to come back and do the decent and respectful thing. Crikey - Blair and decent in the same sentence. Not often you see that...

Still say it wasn't the time or the place to say it though..

He was so awful on Channel 4 news. Started to go on about how much better Gordon Brown was than Tony Blair, which immediately made me warm to Tony and go off Gordon rather dramatically. (Though I think I've got over it now. The warming to Tony has worn off. Mind you, the going off Gordon hasn't...)

Don't say that !
Gordon's lovely...

If John McC thinks he's OK, there must be something wrong with him!

An unpalatable truth....

Oh God, it makes you come over all nihilist, doesn't it...

I'm orf to bed to dream of John McC sexually harassing young women while herding Gordon Brown into cattle class...

Night Caligula!

Totally out of line to start off on personal tirades at someone's f£$king FUNERAL. FFS! How embarrassing.

And if I EVER see Gordon Brown I'm going to kick him in the nads so hard he'll maybe see stars and maybe in a moment of clarity gain a modicum of sense. His 'tax credits' joke has put tens of thousands of working poor families like us below the poverty line, along w/all his bloody stealth taxes. We keep a picture of him on back of the door of one of the offices and throw darts at it.

Did not see or here the Eulogy but heard JMc on the radio today and I agree with what he said..

I suspect that whatever he had said would have been met by strong criticism from MN! Strange when you think how many wishy washy pro free speach liberals post on here..

What's wishy washy about being in favour of free speech? That's quite a strong position, nothing wishy washy about it.

wishy washy, pro free speech, liberal etc are descriptions of more than one thing..(ie, the majority of those who have posted) not one describing the other!

I think ruining a funeral for a personal comment about somebody else is inappropriate and should not have happened for the family's sake. However, TB could have got off his back side and got to the funeral no matter what his relationship with RC as he was a member of his cabinet and he is rich enough to be able to be there and back in a day. Typical of the man! I am sure if old Bush had rung to say his dog had died he would be over there like a shot. Sorry had a little of respect for RC and none for TB!

JMc said he had the full backing of the family..

And was his funeral ruined? I would say the majority of 'ordinary' non MN's think less now of TB than they did before the service..

Would RB approve of that? I think he would..

I thought the way Johm Mcririck blathered on was vile - he is repulsive! hijacking someone's funeral to make very personal remarks about someone else is unforgivable IMO - the man is a huge ( and very unattractive looking!) ego and is full of self love.He knew he'd get on telly - I expect that's why he did it.