Funeral held for former British minister

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Hundreds of people gathered inside and outside an Edinburgh cathedral to honor former British Foreign Minister Robin Cook.

Cook collapsed and died a week ago while hiking with his wife in the Scottish hills. St. Giles Cathedral was packed for his funeral Friday.

There was a long list of speakers, including political allies, friends and Cook's sons. The Scotsman reported the audience became uncomfortably silent when a racing commentator accused Prime Minister Tony Blair of "petty vindictiveness" for not attending.

Cook resigned his party position in the House of Commons because of his opposition to Britain's role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Bishop Richard Holloway, the former bishop of Edinburgh and a longtime friend, talked of a text message Cook sent one of his sons from the hills an hour before his collapse. Holloway said the short message revealed much about Cook.

"He was on the rooftop of Scotland with the woman he adored," said Holloway, "he was thinking of the sons he loved with all his heart, he was making a joke about the Scottish weather and, for those in the know, Arkle and Foinaven are peaks after which two famous steeplechasers were named."