Politicians in the Westminster and Scottish parliaments have paid tribute to the Queen Mother.

Tributes were led by party leaders and senior MPs.

Tony Blair led the Commons in remembering a woman "who came to embody the best of our past and made us optimistic about our future".

But the Westminster recall was overshadowed by demands for a debate on the Middle East and nearly half of Labour's 410 MPs did not show up, including six cabinet ministers, most of whom were on holiday.

In its editorials, the Sun questions the recall. "Many will wonder why MPs were recalled, at great expense, to swap cosy stories about the Queen Mum," it opines.

Praising the Queen Mother's devotion to her country, the newspaper concludes: "After the pomp and circumstance, it will be time to reflect on our future."

MSPs held a special 20 minute session of the Edinburgh parliament to pay homage to a monarch with close Scottish ties.

The FT interviews parliament's Black Rod, Sir Michael Willcocks, the official in charge of the Queen Mother's lying in state in Westminster Hall, as the Express reports that thousands of shops are to close on Tuesday for staff to watch the funeral on television.