LONDON: Mourners have already begun to express their sadness over the passing of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who passed on Monday after suffering a stroke. Her spokesman Lord Bell reported that Thatcher had suffered a stroke and died. She will not have a state funeral but will be accorded the same status as Princess Diana and the Queen Mother. “It is a difficult moment for us in England and the UK because while she was not exactly a well-liked person all across the board, she was and is an icon of Britishness,” said 62-year-old electrician Thomas in Tottenham, who told Bikyanews.com that “I remember the debates she brought up in our house many years ago. She was an interesting person.” The ceremony, with full military honors, will take place at London's St Paul's Cathedral. Successor David Cameron called her a “great Briton” and the Queen spoke of her sadness at the death. The Union Jack at 10 Downing Street has been lowered to half-mast in order to honor Thatcher and her passing. Baroness Thatcher was Conservative prime minister from 1979 to 1990, the first woman to hold the post. BN
