Blair blast at funeral.

Byline: By MAGGIE BARRY

BATTY racing pundit John McCririck stunned mourners at Robin Cook's funeral with a blistering attack on Tony Blair.

The raging right-wing TV presenter told mourners: "We have all changed our plans to be here. There is just one exception to that - the

nation's leader, the Prime Minister."

Using his pulpit tribute to condemn Blair's decision to stay on holiday in the Caribbean, McCririck, dressed in a purple suit and matching stetson, said: "I believe the Prime Minister's snub to Robin's family and to millions of new Labour voters demonstrates a petty vindic- tiveness and moral failure, opting to continue snorkelling instead of doing his duty."

Outside St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh around 500 onlookers, listening to an outside broadcast of the service, clapped as they heard McCririck's outburst.

But inside, the madcap racing pundit's broadside was met with a stony silence as Cook's wife Gaynor and hundreds of mourners - including half of Tony Blair's cabinet - sat listening in stunned disbelief.

One source at the funeral, who refused to be named, told the Scottish Mirror: "McCririck was only saying what everyone else was thinking."

But others disagreed.

After the service, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said: "I thought that it was very out of place. A wave of resentment swept through the cathedral."

And Lord Foulkes, who praised the moving service's atmosphere, added: "I just think it was a pity it was spoiled by John McCririck.

"What he said was inappropriate for a funeral service.

"He was also wrong in what he said.

"Tony Blair will lead tributes to Robin Cook in London which will be an even bigger occasion than this."

McCririck met Mr Cook through their mutual love of racing.

Despite their opposing political outlooks, the two men became firm friends.

Last night, Mr Cook's close friend and election agent, Jim Devine, said: "John McCririck was wrong to say those things.

"It is not what Robin would have wanted."

CAPTION(S):

ANGRY: McCririck; TARGET: PM Tony Blair; ANNOYED: Foulkes