George Galloway has paid an heartfelt tribute to former union leader Bill Speirs at his funeral attended by leading political figures and hundreds of other mourners.

The former Labour politician said a “great oak has fallen in the sparser political forest with the passing of Mr Speirs” a former STUC general secretary who has died at the age of 57 after a long illness.

He also said regarded him as an “older, more sophisticated brother.”

Those who attended Renfrew Town Hall included First Minister Alex Salmond, Labour leader Ian Gray and former First Minister Jack McConnell.

The building was packed with former colleagues, fellow activists, relatives and well wishers forcing left-wing firebrand Tommy Sheridan and former Labour leader Wendy Alexander to stand on the pavement outside.

Mr Galloway told mourners: “In many distant parts of the world the passing of Bill Speirs is being noticed and mourned.

"There are people as far away as South Africa and Palestine and indeed many parts of the Arab world, former Yugoslavia, the former USSR, whose lives Bill touched and graced and improved who today are mourning his passing.

The Respect MP, who saluted as the former union chief’s coffin passed by him in a hearse, added: "He was an eagle, a leader. I will never, ever, ever forget Bill Speirs and what he meant in my life, and I suspect I am not alone in that."

In his tribute, Mr McConnell said it was "a real honour" to be able to pay his respects to the trade unionist and that Scotland had lost a “special son.”

He said: "I am proud to have known Bill, and learned from him over the past 30 years. This past week, friends and colleagues have used a range of words to describe Bill Speirs: intellect, passion, humour, energy, motivated and motivating, internationalist, loyal friend, decent, charismatic.

"But his special contribution was in his belief that ordinary people, mobilised and organised, could effect change. Change for themselves and change in others.

"He believed that they could make an impact and have an influence on their community, their company or their country.

"Bill Speirs built bridges between people, not walls to keep people apart.

"He was never ending in his passionate belief that Scotland would be a better more democratic place, a more just society, with a Scottish Parliament in place. Now it is here but he is gone.

"Scotland lost a special son last week. We all lost a special friend. We will miss him and his huge contribution to our national life.”,

The former leader added that mourners were there to remember his “immense contribution, his fun, his intellect, his style, his inspiration, and his values of decency, compassion and respect."

Mr Speirs joined the STUC as an assistant secretary in 1979. He became deputy general secretary in 1988 and general secretary 10 years later.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of prominent trade unionist Bill Speirs.

The packed service at Renfrew Town Hall heard the former STUC general secretary described as a "great oak" of modern politics by Respect MP George Galloway.

First Minister Alex Salmond, Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray and former Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan also attended.

Hundreds of mourners said their final goodbyes to trade union "giant" Bill Speirs at a moving funeral service yesterday.

First Minister Alex Salmond and MP George Galloway were among those who turned out to honour the former STUC leader, who died last week.

Other political figures who joined Bill's devastated wife Pat and children David and Jaki included Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray, former leader Wendy Alexander, former health minister Susan Deacon and firebrand socialist Tommy Sheridan.

More than 150 people stood outside Renfrew Town Hall and listened to the humanist service on a PA system after the venue's 250 capacity was reached.

A much-loved figure, Bill died aged 57 after a long illness. He had served the STUC from 1979 to 2006, rising to general secretary in 1998.

At the ceremony, his wife Pat said: "He was committed to what he cared about. He cared endlessly for people and none of us will ever know all the things that he did to help people over the years."

Fighting back tears, she added: "Farewell to my bright, funny, lovable husband. As long as I live, I will wish I still walked with you."

The service included many songs chosen by Bill and, in accordance with his wishes, ended with mourners roaring along to socialist anthem The Internationale.

Eulogy

In his eulogy, Respect MP George Galloway said: "A great oak has fallen in the sparser political forest with the passing of Bill Speirs.

"In many distant parts of the world his death is being noticed and mourned.

"There are people as far away as South Africa and Palestine and indeed many parts of the Arab world, former Yugoslavia, the former USSR, whose lives Bill touched and graced and improved, who today are mourning."

Former first minister Jack McConnell said: "His special contribution was his belief that ordinary people, mobilised and organised, could effect change for themselves and change in others.

"Bill Speirs built bridges between people, not walls to keep people apart.

"Scotland lost a special son last week. We all lost a special friend.

"But we remember today the man, his immense contribution, his fun, his intellect, his style, his inspiration and his values of decency, compassion and respect."

Family, friends, politicians, civic leaders and even the odd political opponent will pack Renfrew Town Hall on Friday lunchtime for the funeral service for Bill Speirs.

The former STUC General Secretary died last week at the age of 57.

The funeral venue is an indication of the sheer numbers expected to attend to mark the life of one of the most talented leaders the Union movement has ever produced.

Tributes will be led by George Galloway MP, former First Minister Jack McConnell MSP and Campbell Christie.

This will be an old fashioned socialist funeral where some of the causes close to Mr Speirs will be celebrated in speech, song and even symbol. His coffin is expected to be draped by the Saltire, the Red Flag and that of Palestine. Arthur Johnston will lead tribute in song as mourners recall the life of this socialist and internationalist.

After the service his body will be laid to rest at Arkleston Cemetery in Renfrew.

When Thatcherism was at its height, Mr Speirs' reputation blossomed as an articulate and strategically sharp operator in defence of workers. He was on the vanguard of anti-Conservative agitation against the Poll Tax and was a keen architect of the cross-party Scotland United campaign.

As a former Labour Party chairman he was a committed member, but was never narrow or sectarian. At the STUC, his eight years as General Secretary from 1998 kept the unions at the centre of the political, cultural and civic debates of the time.

When he retired from the STUC three years ago, he had a long battle against illness. It pained family and friends who witnesses the slow and inevitable decline. Those who knew him will remember a giant of his generation, who had a natural gift for politics and all its many machinations.

They will remember most of all that he fought on behalf of people and causes that he loved.