HUNDREDS of mourners turned out for the funeral of a former Basingstoke and North West Hampshire MP.
The funeral of Sir David Mitchell took place this afternoon at All Saints Church in Odiham.
Sir David, who was Basingstoke MP between 1964 and 1983, before he became North West Hampshire MP, died at his home in Odiham on Saturday, August 30. He was 86.
His coffin was carried into the church, in The Bury, behind a lone bagpiper.
Sir David's eldest son, Andrew Mitchell, the MP for Sutton Coldfield and former chief whip, paid tribute to his father, in a speech that drew much laughter.
“He had a deep sense that politics was about service – service to his country, service to his constituents and service to his party,” Mr Mitchell said.
Those attending included current Basingstoke MP Maria Miller, James Arbuthnot, MP for North East Hampshire, and Sir George Young, who succeeded Sir David as North West Hampshire MP.
Councillor Ken Crookes, leader of Hart District Council, and Cllr Jonathan Glen, ward member for Odiham at Hampshire County Council, also attended.
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