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Thatcher state funeral undecided Thatcher state funeral undecided
(31 minutes later)
No decision has been made about whether former prime minister Margaret Thatcher should be given a state funeral, a senior cabinet minister has said.No decision has been made about whether former prime minister Margaret Thatcher should be given a state funeral, a senior cabinet minister has said.
Reports last month suggested officials of Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Queen were in discussions with Lady Thatcher's office about arrangements.Reports last month suggested officials of Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Queen were in discussions with Lady Thatcher's office about arrangements.
If granted, it would make Lady Thatcher the first premier since Sir Winston Churchill to be given the honour.If granted, it would make Lady Thatcher the first premier since Sir Winston Churchill to be given the honour.
But Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman says the stories are inaccurate.But Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman says the stories are inaccurate.
"There is no arrangement on this and those stories are not accurate," Ms Harman told the Guardian newspaper."There is no arrangement on this and those stories are not accurate," Ms Harman told the Guardian newspaper.
Ms Harman, who has been "minding the shop" during Mr Brown's holiday this week, declined to say whether she thought the former Conservative leader should have a state funeral.Ms Harman, who has been "minding the shop" during Mr Brown's holiday this week, declined to say whether she thought the former Conservative leader should have a state funeral.
Exceptional casesExceptional cases
State funerals are normally reserved for monarchs and reports that Lady Thatcher, a divisive political figure, would be given such a funeral sparked controversy.State funerals are normally reserved for monarchs and reports that Lady Thatcher, a divisive political figure, would be given such a funeral sparked controversy.
Concerns were also raised that not enough soldiers would be available to line the streets as her coffin was taken to St Paul's Cathedral.Concerns were also raised that not enough soldiers would be available to line the streets as her coffin was taken to St Paul's Cathedral.
The reports are no indication of any current concern for the health of the 82-year-old, who was prime minister from 1979 to 1990.The reports are no indication of any current concern for the health of the 82-year-old, who was prime minister from 1979 to 1990.
The last state funeral was awarded to Britain's wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill in 1965.The last state funeral was awarded to Britain's wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill in 1965.
In the 19th Century, five state funerals were granted to non-royal personages.In the 19th Century, five state funerals were granted to non-royal personages.
The exceptional cases were Lord Nelson after his death at Trafalgar; Charles Darwin; and the Duke of Wellington, Lord Palmerston and William Gladstone, three former prime ministers.The exceptional cases were Lord Nelson after his death at Trafalgar; Charles Darwin; and the Duke of Wellington, Lord Palmerston and William Gladstone, three former prime ministers.
The Queen Mother was given a ceremonial funeral rather than a state one in 1992 as it was her husband George VI who held the throne. The Queen Mother was given a ceremonial funeral rather than a state one in 2002 as it was her husband George VI who held the throne.
In effect there is little difference between ceremonial and state funerals - with the gun carriage during a state funeral drawn by Royal Navy ratings rather than artillery horses.In effect there is little difference between ceremonial and state funerals - with the gun carriage during a state funeral drawn by Royal Navy ratings rather than artillery horses.