Huge send-off for Fortuyn

Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Rotterdam today as Holland paid an emotional tribute to murdered politician Pim Fortuyn.

There was subdued applause as the flower-strewn white hearse drove towards Rotterdam cathedral. A funeral mass was attended by prime minister Wim Kok and a representative of Queen Beatrix.

The 54-year-old gay maverick Right-winger, a sociology professor, was shot dead on Monday. Mr Fortuyn's anti-immigration party had divided the Dutch but his assassination provoked shock and anger at what was seen as an attack on democracy. The Dutch media even referred to the outpouring of grief as "The Lady Di effect".