MT: “Thatcher state funeral plan denied” (‘no such plans’)
Document type:
Press
Source:
The Times, 8 August 2006
Journalist:
Hugo Rifkind, The Times
Editorial comments:
Published in the People diary column of The Times .
Importance ranking:
Minor
Word count:
152 words
Themes:
Executive
Thatcher state funeral plan denied
PEOPLE by Hugo Rifkind
A SIGN perhaps, of the rampant cross-dressing that Tony Blair believes to be a feature of British politics.
Officials at Downing Street have had to write to a Labour MP to deny that the Government was planning a state funeral for Baroness Thatcher. The Prime Minister is thought to have been in favour of honouring the Iron Lady in a manner previously reserved for the Royal Family and Winston Churchill .
There was even said to be a blueprint for the occasion, drawn up by the Cabinet Office: the cortège would pass through Trafalgar Square on its way to Westminster Abbey.
Rosie Cooper , MP for Lancashire West, had local members threatening to resign at the prospect. “I can confirm that there are no such plans,” John McTernan , Blair’s political secretary, wrote. “I hope this reply reassures your constituents.”
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MT: “Thatcher state funeral plan denied” (‘no such plans’)
Thatcher state funeral plan denied
PEOPLE by Hugo Rifkind
A SIGN perhaps, of the rampant cross-dressing that Tony Blair believes to be a feature of British politics.
Officials at Downing Street have had to write to a Labour MP to deny that the Government was planning a state funeral for Baroness Thatcher. The Prime Minister is thought to have been in favour of honouring the Iron Lady in a manner previously reserved for the Royal Family and Winston Churchill .
There was even said to be a blueprint for the occasion, drawn up by the Cabinet Office: the cortège would pass through Trafalgar Square on its way to Westminster Abbey.
Rosie Cooper , MP for Lancashire West, had local members threatening to resign at the prospect. “I can confirm that there are no such plans,” John McTernan , Blair’s political secretary, wrote. “I hope this reply reassures your constituents.”