JEREMY CORBYN has led tributes to union boss Dave Hopper, who died days after sharing a platform with the Labour leader at the Durham Miners' Gala.

The former pitman, who was the driving force behind the ongoing success of the gala, suffered a massive heart attack at his home in East Boldon late on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Hopper, 73, a father and grandfather, had been general secretary of Durham Miners’ Association for 30 years.

He played a leading part in the bitter miners strike of 1984/5 and once famously compared Margaret Thatcher to Adolf Hitler.

Three years ago, he made national headlines by throwing a party to celebrate when Lady Thatcher died, adding: "It's a great day for us. I am vindictive. I’d have shot her."

The veteran left-winger, dedicated to championing working class causes, was well-respected and regarded with affection among the labour movement. 
He described last weekend’s 132nd Big Meeting, which attracted over 150,000, as the ‘best ever’.

Mr Corbyn, who sat alongside Mr Hopper on the platform at the Racecourse on Saturday, July 9, said Mr Hopper, was a ‘wonderful comrade’ who would be ‘desperately missed’.

He said: “It is very sad news to hear that Dave Hopper has died. Davey was a total stalwart of the Labour movement. 

“He heroically campaigned for the miners in the strike of 1984/5 and played a key role in keeping the miners’ union together in the Durham coalfield.

“His dedication ensured that the wonderful Durham Miners’ Gala is bigger than ever, and carries on that outstanding spirit of solidarity that the mining communities have always embodied.”

Mr Hopper publicly backed Mr Corbyn amid internal challenges within the party and two weeks ago made a point of telling Labour MPs who failed to support the leader they were no longer welcome to take part in official proceedings at the Gala.

Mr Corbyn said: “I spend most of last weekend with Davey at the Durham Miners’ Gala and we had a great time together. He was a wonderful comrade to me for over 30 years and he will not only be desperately missed, but has left us all unforgettable lessons in steadfastness and loyalty to our cause.”

Former miner Dennis Skinner, MP for Bolsover, who also addressed crowds at the Racecourse, said he was shocked at Mr Hopper's sudden death.

He said: "I did not realise there was anything wrong. He was his usual self-deprecating self.

"I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart for all that he has done.

"Durham Miners' Gala is the premier march in Britain and has been for a long time.

"It is 30 years since they ripped into the heart of the Durham coalfield and when you think about the way people like Davey have kept it alive it is really remarkable. The last one Davey adjudicated on was by far the biggest that I have ever seen." 

Mr Hopper worked as a miner at Wearmouth Colliery and became the general secretary of Durham Miners' Association in 1985.

Easington MP Grahame Morris said: “My thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Davey’s wife, family and his many friends in the labour and trade union movement. He was a colossus and will be sadly missed.

“On Saturday following the speeches I spent some time in Dave’s company at the Durham Miners Gala.

"He remained absolutely dedicated to the founding principles of the Miners’ Union and maintained his unshakeable belief in the importance of the core values of fairness social justice and solidarity.

"He was to the end the driving force that helped to galvanise and maintain support and pride of place for the Durham Big Meeting in the calendar of great working class gatherings.

“It is up to us now to honour his legacy and life’s work to defend his values and ensure the Durham Miners’ Gala continues to be a beacon of hope and an inspiration to future generations.”

Mr Hopper, who was outspoken and known for his sense of humour, was not afraid of controversy.

He demanded the Monkwearmouth Miners’ Banner be taken down from the Stadium of Light in protest at the decision to appoint Paolo Di Canio as the Black Cats' head coach.

When Margaret Thatcher died three years ago, he said it was a ‘great day’ for coalminers and said a social evening at Easington Colliery Working Men’s Club on the day of her funeral would be a ‘good knees up’.

Durham Miners’ Association said details of Mr Hopper’s own funeral will be announced at a later date. A large turnout is expected.

The spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce the death of our secretary, Dave Hopper, who died unexpectedly on Saturday July 16 at 4pm.

"Dave was elected General Secretary of the NUM (Durham Area) in 1985 and led the union through the difficult years in the aftermath of the 1984/85 strike and the final closure of the Durham Coalfield. He was an inspirational leader who held firm to his deeply felt socialist principles.

“Last Saturday, Dave presided over the 132nd Durham Miners Gala the 31st under his leadership, the greatest number of any general secretary. 

“This gala attracted the largest crowd in 60 years and this achievement and the galas to come will be his legacy.

"At this moment our thoughts are with his family and those closest to him.”