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Baroness Thatcher's funeral: Alex Salmond joining mourners Baroness Thatcher's funeral: Alex Salmond joining mourners
(about 1 hour later)
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond is among guests who will attend the funeral of Baroness Thatcher later. Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond is among guests who will attend the funeral of Baroness Thatcher.
The former prime minister, who died last week aged 87, has been accorded a ceremonial funeral with military honours.The former prime minister, who died last week aged 87, has been accorded a ceremonial funeral with military honours.
A debate on her legacy which was due to be held at the Scottish Parliament has been postponed.A debate on her legacy which was due to be held at the Scottish Parliament has been postponed.
Ahead of her funeral Mr Salmond said he believed people should not celebrate the death of Lady Thatcher.Ahead of her funeral Mr Salmond said he believed people should not celebrate the death of Lady Thatcher.
A rally is planned in Glasgow's George Square later.A rally is planned in Glasgow's George Square later.
Mr Salmond told the BBC he respected people's right to disagree with the former prime minister's policies but said "people shouldn't celebrate anybody's passing".Mr Salmond told the BBC he respected people's right to disagree with the former prime minister's policies but said "people shouldn't celebrate anybody's passing".
He said: "It is important we [the Scottish government] attend the funeral, I do on behalf of the people of Scotland and do so properly because that is the right thing to do in terms of the funeral - but I can well understand why many, many people would see that sort of cost as disproportionate.He said: "It is important we [the Scottish government] attend the funeral, I do on behalf of the people of Scotland and do so properly because that is the right thing to do in terms of the funeral - but I can well understand why many, many people would see that sort of cost as disproportionate.
"I don't think anyone should celebrate anybody's death and I say people shouldn't celebrate anybody's passing but people are entitled absolutely, absolutely entitled, to put forward their point of view.""I don't think anyone should celebrate anybody's death and I say people shouldn't celebrate anybody's passing but people are entitled absolutely, absolutely entitled, to put forward their point of view."
Mr Salmond described Lady Thatcher as the "hand maiden of a return of Scottish democracy" because he argued her time in government helped create the Scottish Parliament.Mr Salmond described Lady Thatcher as the "hand maiden of a return of Scottish democracy" because he argued her time in government helped create the Scottish Parliament.
Coffin bearer Scotland Office Minister David Mundell said that Lady Thatcher had put Britain "back on the world stage".
He was speaking to BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme ahead of the funeral.
Scotland's only Conservative MP Mr Mundell said: "I think the funeral being held is appropriate for Mrs Thatcher, not just in terms of her electoral success, a period in officer, the longest continuous non-war period in office, but also her standing in the world community."
He added that she put "Britain back on the world stage and she has left a "great legacy".
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson will also be among more than 2,000 guests at St Paul's Cathedral.Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson will also be among more than 2,000 guests at St Paul's Cathedral.
It emerged on Tuesday that she and her deputy, Jackson Carlaw, were among a small number of guests who will have to pick up their invitations in person ahead of the service as they have not received them in the post. It emerged on Tuesday that she and her deputy, Jackson Carlaw, were among a small number of guests who would have to pick up their invitations in person ahead of the service as they have not received them in the post.
The ceremonial funeral with military honours is one step down from a state funeral. Winston Churchill was the last former prime minister to be accorded such an honour.The ceremonial funeral with military honours is one step down from a state funeral. Winston Churchill was the last former prime minister to be accorded such an honour.
Lady Thatcher's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was brought to the Palace of Westminster on Tuesday, where it remained overnight.Lady Thatcher's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was brought to the Palace of Westminster on Tuesday, where it remained overnight.
Flags will be lowered to half mast on government buildings, before a gun carriage takes her body to the cathedral.Flags will be lowered to half mast on government buildings, before a gun carriage takes her body to the cathedral.
Debate postponed
The route will be lined with military personnel. One of the bearer party who will carry the coffin will be from the Scots Guards. L/Sgt Paul Quayle, 31, comes from East Kilbride.The route will be lined with military personnel. One of the bearer party who will carry the coffin will be from the Scots Guards. L/Sgt Paul Quayle, 31, comes from East Kilbride.
On Tuesday it was announced that a debate on Margaret Thatcher's legacy in Scotland, due to take place at Holyrood, was being rescheduled so as not to coincide with the day of her funeral.On Tuesday it was announced that a debate on Margaret Thatcher's legacy in Scotland, due to take place at Holyrood, was being rescheduled so as not to coincide with the day of her funeral.
Green and Independent MSPs had chosen to use their allotted parliamentary time on Wednesday to hold the debate, called "There is still such a thing as society".Green and Independent MSPs had chosen to use their allotted parliamentary time on Wednesday to hold the debate, called "There is still such a thing as society".
The Scottish Conservatives had branded the timing "provocative and insensitive".The Scottish Conservatives had branded the timing "provocative and insensitive".
After a meeting of the parliament's business bureau the debate was moved to Thursday.After a meeting of the parliament's business bureau the debate was moved to Thursday.