THE leader of Britain’s biggest trade union paid tribute yesterday to the “gentle” Dave Hopper.

Speaking to the Star following Mr Hopper’s funeral, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “Obviously it was a wonderful occasion — so many great comrades showing their respect, which demonstrates how he was regarded in the movement.

“He was a very gentle man, a humble man, but full of fire and passion, and people loved him for it.

“I use the word loved deliberately because people did love him.

“I had the good fortune to be with him a couple of weeks ago for a drink, and we reminisced. But he always wanted to talk about the future.

“He is a great loss to the movement.”

Tributes to Mr Hopper began the night before his funeral yesterday.

Hundreds of trade unionists gathered at the Sacriston Working Men’s Club on the outskirts of Durham to celebrate Mr Hopper’s life.

They were joined by MPs including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who, as he rose to speak, received a standing ovation from the 400 or so people there.

“This is an event none of us wanted to be at,” Mr Corbyn said.

“He was active in the Labour Party in the ’80s, in the miners’ union, obviously, and always there to give good advice.

“I got to know him better during the miners’ strike.

“What he gave you was a vision of what society could be like, one without brutality.

“Davy stood up after the strike and fought for compensation for miners. He could have gone away after the strike.

“But instead he turned the miners’ gala into what it is today, and the last one was one of the biggest for many years.

“He said it gave hope to people like those on zero hours, in call centres, in jobs being privatised.

“These people saw in him something of hope, of the strength of bringing people together.

“Communities together are stronger. Workers are stronger together. Unions and the party are stronger together.

“He was amazing — a truly remarkable man. The message we get is that the pits may have gone, but the spirit and strength of the communities is there for all time.

“To me, it was an honour and a privilege to know him.”