PM leads tributes as 'true servant of the people' MacDougall laid to rest

Published Date: 19 August 2008 GORDON Brown has led tributes to John MacDougall, the popular Glenrothes MP, who was laid to rest yesterday after a funeral attended by family, friends and leading Scots politicians. The Prime Minister gave a eulogy at the funeral of his friend and colleague at the Erskine Church in Burntisland, Fife. Mr MacDougall, a former boilermaker, council leader and MP, died aged 60 last week after a two- year battle with the asbestos- related cancer, mesothelioma. His death represents both a personal tragedy for Mr Brown and a political threat, as the SNP is heavily tipped to overturn Labour's 10,664 majority. In a statement, the Prime Minister said he had lost a "good personal friend" who was a "true servant of the people". He said: "John MacDougall gave more than 30 years of distinguished public... [read full story]