Queen to attend Thatcher funeral

The service on Wednesday will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral, and is expected to be attended by dignitaries from around the world.

It will be the first time the Queen has attended the funeral of one of her prime ministers since Sir Winston Churchill died in 1965.

Lady Thatcher indicated she did not want the state event Churchill was granted, but will receive full military honours - the same status accorded the Queen Mother and Diana, Princess of Wales.

• The Thatcher Years - A Yorkshire Post special video programe

The details emerged as the country continued to reflect on the controversial legacy of its first woman prime minister.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has “categorically” condemned a series of rowdy street parties said to be celebrating the demise of the Iron Lady - including one in Bristol where six police officers were hurt.

Tory MP Conor Burns, a friend of the former prime minister, said he was “delighted” that her opponents still felt so strongly.

“The hatred that burns in their hearts against Margaret Thatcher is actually an enormous tribute to Margaret Thatcher, because she won,” he told ITV.

Parliament has been recalled from its Easter break tomorrow so that MPs can pay tribute in the chamber.

But Labour backbencher John Mann questioned why they could not have waited a few days until recess ended.

“I would have done it on Monday when Parliament reassembles,” he said. “I do not know why we are wasting taxpayers’ money on an additional session.

“It is perfectly valid that, when a prime minister dies, MPs can pay tribute, but this could be perfectly properly done on Monday.”

Mr Mann said he would not be attending the session. “I will be at the dentist’s,” he added.

Respect MP George Galloway - who sparked fury yesterday by tweeting “Tramp the ground down” in a reference to an anti-Thatcher Elvis Costello song - also made clear he was staying away.

“It is a series of tributes at public expense - vast public expense if everyone turns up,” Mr Galloway said. “It is enough to make you sick.

“At least half the country hated and despised her but you have to show ‘respect’.”

A senior Labour source dismissed suggestions that few of the party’s MPs would turn up, insisting “large numbers” would be there.

“Ed Miliband made clear his position yesterday. Lady Thatcher was a huge figure in British politics and the world stage,” the source said.

“While she might have been a controversial figure, we respect her personal achievements and political strength.”

A Downing Street spokesman said the funeral date had been agreed at a “government co-ordination meeting” with the Thatcher family and Buckingham Palace this morning.

The Queen’s decision to attend, with the Duke of Edinburgh, is likely to have been dictated by the nature of Lady Thatcher’s funeral.

If the family were planning a private ceremony in a parish church the Queen would probably have declined and sent a floral tribute and a family member as a representative.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “It’s a unique occasion where the prime minister is being given a ceremonial funeral with military honours.

“Her Majesty gave consent to the plans proposed by the Government and Lady Thatcher’s family some time ago.”

Downing Street is expected to begin releasing details of the guest list tomorrow, amid speculation that it could include former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and ex-US first lady Nancy Reagan.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said: “There is already a huge amount of interest, there’s a guest list.

“People will be invited over the coming days.”

Asked about the Queen’s attendance, he added: “I think it’s very significant that Her Majesty and the Duke wish to attend.

“She was a very long-standing prime minister and she was transformational for Britain and also made a huge difference for the world.”

The Prime Minister will tomorrow lead a Commons debate on the death of Lady Thatcher.

MPs will debate a single line motion which read: “That this House has considered the matter of tributes to the Rt Hon Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven LG OM.”

Labour leader Ed Miliband will follow David’s Cameron’s lead and Speaker John Bercow will then call MPs to contribute.

The order paper for tomorrow’s proceedings indicate the debate may continue until 10pm, at which point Leader of the House Andrew Lansley will adjourn the Commons until its planned return from the Easter recess on Monday.

In other developments, Mark Thatcher is due to return to the United Kingdom tonight. His sister, Carol, will also return before the funeral.