HUNDREDS of mourners from a wide spectrum of Scottish life today gathered to pay their final respects to leading Scots lawyer Paul McBride QC.

Family and friends were joined by fellow mourners from the world of politics, law, sport and the media at the 47-year-old's funeral service this morning.

Mr McBride died suddenly in his sleep while on a business trip to Pakistan last weekend. His body was flown back to Scotland on Saturday.

Figures from the world of politics, including First Minister Alex Salmond, Scottish Labour Party leader Johann Lamont and former MSP Tommy Sheridan and his wife Gail were among mourners at a requiem mass at St Aloysius' Church in Garnet-hill, Glasgow.

Close friend and Celtic manager Neil Lennon acted as one of eight pal bearers and Celtic playing staff and management attended en mass, including Scott Brown, Charlie Mulgrew Johan Mjallby and Alan Thompson. Celtic chief executitve Peter Lawwell was also there.

Former MSP Trish Godman, who along with Mr McBride and Neil Lennon was sent explosive packages through the post, paid her respects. Two men are currently on trial at the High Court and deny the charges against them.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue chief officer Brian Sweeney was also among the mourners. Dozens of friends and colleagues from the legal profession attended, including Donald Findlay QC, Gordon Jackson QC and Aamer Anwar, who was with Mr McBride on their Pakistan business trip.

As the cortege pulled up outside the church the busy streets of Garnethill fell silent. Mr McBride's father George placed a comforting arm around wife Mary as they waited for their son's coffin to be carried into the church. By their side was Mr McBride's partner, Gary Murphy, who could be seen shaking with grief.

A family floral arrangement of cream roses and lilies adorned the ornate carved coffin, with bouquets of yellow and cream flowers placed around the coffin.

As the service got under way tributes were being led by Lord Advocate Frank Mullholland and close friend Tony Graham, who was one of the best men at Mr McBride's commitment ceremony to partner Gary.

After the service the funeral party proceeded to St Conval's cemetery in Barrhead to say their final goodbyes.

Mr McBride and Mr Anwar had been attending a wedding in Lahore but Mr McBride returned to his room early, feeling unwell. He was found dead in his bed at the Pearl Continental hotel last Sunday morning.

A post-mortem examination found there were no suspicious circumstances and concluded that Mr McBride died in his sleep through natural causes.

On arrival back in Glasgow at the weekend, Mr Anwar said: "It is not a cliche to say that Scotland has lost a son. For many, Paul McBride was an outstanding and fearless lawyer, a good friend and loving son and partner."

Mr McBride successfully defended Gail Sheridan, the wife of the former MSP Tommy Sheridan, against charges of perjury in a case involving the News of the World. He was a defence counsel in some of Scotland's more gruesome murder cases and represented the families affected by the Stockline factory disaster and the Rose-park carehome fire.

McBride was an only child from a working-class background. From an early age, his eyes were fixed on a legal career and he left school at 16 to study for a law degree at Strathclyde University. He graduated when he was 19. He was called to the Scottish bar at the age of 22 and when he took silk at 35, he was reputed to be the youngest ever QC in the UK.

deborah.anderson@ eveningtimes.co.uk