BARONESS THATCHER’S REMAINS LEAVE ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL FOLLOWING SERVICE

Members of the Armed Forces carry Baroness Thatcher's coffin to a wating hearse

Members of the Armed Forces carry Baroness Thatcher’s coffin to a wating hearse

The funeral service has now ended in St Paul’s Cathedral in London for Baroness Thatcher who died last week aged 87.

Reverend David Ison praises Thatcher’s “leadership” “courage”, “dignity”  and “personal concern for the well-being of individuals”.

Her grand daughter Amanda Thatcher read the first lesson followed by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Among the mourners is First Minister Peter Robinson and a number of other guests from Northern Ireland are attending the funeral of Baroness Thatcher in London.

Mr Robinson is representing the Northern Ireland Assembly at the service in St Paul’s Cathedral.

Also attending are Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt and Alliance Party MP Naomi Long.

Other MPs included Jeffrey Donaldson, Lady Sylvia Hermon, Nigel Dodds and Gregory Campbell.

Irish Education Minister Ruairí Quinn represents the Republic of Ireland’s government.

The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and former Prime Ministers also attended.

Baroness Thatcer's coffin arrives at St Paul's as her grand daughter Amanda looks on

Baroness Thatcer’s coffin arrives at St Paul’s as her grand daughter Amanda looks on

As Baroness Thatcher’s coffin arrived at St Paul’s, deputy first minister Martin McGuinness tweeted: “Bobby Sands-“Our revenge will be the laughter of our Children” Remember the Hunger Strikers with Respect & Dignity. ”

Following the service, her Union jack flag-draped coffin was carried from the cathedral where a hearse took it to St Mary’s Royal Infirmary in Chelsea.

The DUP’s William McCrea was one of the senior members of the Commons who received Lady Thatcher’s body into the crypt at Westminster on Tuesday.

The South Antrim MP said he disagreed with a number of Mrs Thatcher’s policies, particularly the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement.

“In politics there are things that people agree with and disagree with and I think Margaret Thatcher did acknowledge in her record of looking back over her life that she had regretted things about the Anglo-Irish Agreement,” he said.

“You can’t take away the fact that she was an outstanding political figure in the UK.

“She brought a distinction and respect internationally back to Britain, which hadn’t been there for some time.

“She was a person of renown – no-one can take that away from her.”

Naomi Long said Mrs Thatcher’s legacy was “very much a mixed bag”.

NI MPs Jeffrey Donaldson, Lady Hermon, Nigel Dodds and Gregory Campbell

NI MPs Jeffrey Donaldson, Lady Hermon, Nigel Dodds and Gregory Campbell

“It is a mark of a civilised society that we should be able to mark the passing of significant figures in a dignified way,” she said.

“There is a time and a place to discuss her legacy but on the day of the funeral there is a grieving family at the centre of this.

“She was a human being with family and friends and that is something you need to be respectful of.”

About 200 states, territories and international organisations have been invited to send an official representative.

 

 

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