Prime Minister to attend Blake funeral

Prime Minister Helen Clark leaves tomorrow to attend Sir Peter Blake's funeral in England on Friday (Saturday NZT).

The funeral of the New Zealand yachting legend killed by pirates in South America last week will take place in Emsworth, the village on England's south coast which is home to Sir Peter's family, at 1 pm local time (2 am Saturday NZT).

A spokesman for Miss Clark told NZPA she would leave for the funeral tomorrow and return on Sunday.

Miss Clark yesterday cited the fact she was in one of the last groups to visit Sir Peter on the Amazon and the high esteem with which he was held in New Zealand as reasons she wanted to attend his funeral.

"Thirdly, from the family's point of view, they would be very happy to have me present," she said.

Miss Clark told NZPA she spoke to Pippa, Lady Blake, late last night.

"They're very appreciative (of the decision to go) and they've asked me to speak at the funeral," she said.

"I think in the circumstances it's important to be there."

Miss Clark would head to Hampshire to see Lady Blake on Thursday afternoon (Friday morning NZT).

Miss Clark would fly home on Friday night, arriving on Sunday.

- NZPA


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