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| Westminster service remembers Baroness Thatcher | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Family, friends and politicians from all sides have paid their respects to Baroness Thatcher, ahead of the former prime minister's funeral on Wednesday. | |
| A short service was held at the Palace of Westminster, with around 100 MPs, peers and parliamentary and Downing Street staff taking part. | |
| The Union flag-draped coffin arrived earlier in an escorted hearse. | |
| MPs are expected to vote later on whether to cancel Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. | |
| Lady Thatcher, who died, at the age of 87 on 8 April, has been accorded a ceremonial funeral with military honours, one step down from a state funeral. | Lady Thatcher, who died, at the age of 87 on 8 April, has been accorded a ceremonial funeral with military honours, one step down from a state funeral. |
| 'Impressive' | |
| Her body will now rest overnight in the Palace of Westminster's Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, where a service was led by the Dean of Westminster for members of the family, senior figures from both Houses of Parliament, and staff from Parliament and Downing Street. | |
| Senior figures attending included Speaker John Bercow, Leader of the House Andrew Lansley, Chief Whip Sir George Young and Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith. | Senior figures attending included Speaker John Bercow, Leader of the House Andrew Lansley, Chief Whip Sir George Young and Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith. |
| Senior Liberal Democrat Baroness Williams said the service had been "very impressive" and "not at all political" but "more about the Thatcher family". | Senior Liberal Democrat Baroness Williams said the service had been "very impressive" and "not at all political" but "more about the Thatcher family". |
| Conservative MP Sir Gerald Howarth added that it had been "dignified". | Conservative MP Sir Gerald Howarth added that it had been "dignified". |
| The chapel will be open for several hours in order that members of both Houses and parliamentary staff may pay their respects. | The chapel will be open for several hours in order that members of both Houses and parliamentary staff may pay their respects. |
| The House of Commons Speaker's chaplain will then keep vigil through the night. | The House of Commons Speaker's chaplain will then keep vigil through the night. |
| Meanwhile, two MPs, Respect's George Galloway and Labour's Dennis Skinner, have objected to plans to delay the start of Commons business on Wednesday until 14:30 BST, which would cause the cancellation of Prime Minister's Questions. | Meanwhile, two MPs, Respect's George Galloway and Labour's Dennis Skinner, have objected to plans to delay the start of Commons business on Wednesday until 14:30 BST, which would cause the cancellation of Prime Minister's Questions. |
| 'Great honour' | |
| Their objection means there will have to be a debate and vote before the change to the schedule can be made. This is expected to take place between 20:00 BST and 22:00 BST. | Their objection means there will have to be a debate and vote before the change to the schedule can be made. This is expected to take place between 20:00 BST and 22:00 BST. |
| Mr Galloway, who said he would have "a lot to say" about the "wicked and divisive" Conservative premier, has also criticised the announcement that Big Ben would fall silent for the funeral, a move which Lady Thatcher's children welcomed as a "great honour". | Mr Galloway, who said he would have "a lot to say" about the "wicked and divisive" Conservative premier, has also criticised the announcement that Big Ben would fall silent for the funeral, a move which Lady Thatcher's children welcomed as a "great honour". |
| The motion proposing the schedule change is expected to be passed after the Labour leadership said it would not oppose it. | The motion proposing the schedule change is expected to be passed after the Labour leadership said it would not oppose it. |
| And a debate in the Scottish Parliament on Lady Thatcher's legacy is to be postponed until after the funeral. | And a debate in the Scottish Parliament on Lady Thatcher's legacy is to be postponed until after the funeral. |
| Green Party and independent members had wanted to hold the discussion shortly after the service, but the main parties at Holyrood have agreed that it should be moved to Thursday. | Green Party and independent members had wanted to hold the discussion shortly after the service, but the main parties at Holyrood have agreed that it should be moved to Thursday. |
| On Wednesday morning, Lady Thatcher's coffin will initially travel by hearse from the Palace of Westminster to the Church of St Clement Danes - the Central Church of the RAF - on the Strand. | On Wednesday morning, Lady Thatcher's coffin will initially travel by hearse from the Palace of Westminster to the Church of St Clement Danes - the Central Church of the RAF - on the Strand. |
| It will then be transferred to a gun carriage and taken in procession to St Paul's. | It will then be transferred to a gun carriage and taken in procession to St Paul's. |
| The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are among more than 2,000 people expected to attend the service. | |
| Former US Vice-President Dick Cheney and ex-Secretary of State Henry Kissinger will also be among the guests, while 4,000 police will be on duty. | |
| Barack Obama's official presidential delegation will be led by George Shultz and James Baker, who both served as secretaries of state during the Thatcher era. | |
| But Argentina's ambassador to London, Alicia Castro, has declined an invitation to attend. | |
| St Paul's has published a full funeral order of service. |