Callaghan: Former prime minister

Senior politicians have paid tribute to former prime minister Lord Callaghan.

On the day of the former Labour leader's funeral, the Commons interrupted normal business to hear all sides of the House praise his decency and integrity.

Tony Blair spoke of the former MP's "decency, honesty and integrity".

The prime minister said Lord Callaghan had been devoted to his family, especially his wife who died just 11 days before him.

Blair told MPs that politicians from all parties had respected Jim Callaghan.

"They talk rightly as much about his personal qualities - about his decency, honesty, integrity, his friendship and loyalty," he said.

"In Jim Callaghan's case you could not separate his achievements as a politician, from his qualities as a man.

"Many times over the past 10 years, I'd reason to seek his counsel.

"Each time he gave it with a rigorous approach to the problem in hand, objective advice as to how to resolve it and an utterly unswerving commitment to the country and political party he served."

Conservative leader Michael Howard said that "all who met him spoke of his personal qualities".

"Lord Callaghan had a profound influence on the course of the political life of our nation across the entire latter half of the 20th century," he added.

Speaker Michael Martin also paid tribute to the kindness and generosity of the late prime minister.

"He will be missed by a great many members of this House," he added.