This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26640522
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Tony Benn could share chapel honour with Margaret Thatcher | Tony Benn could share chapel honour with Margaret Thatcher |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Buckingham Palace has been asked to allow the body of late MP Tony Benn to rest overnight before his funeral in a chapel in the Palace of Westminster. | Buckingham Palace has been asked to allow the body of late MP Tony Benn to rest overnight before his funeral in a chapel in the Palace of Westminster. |
| The request was reportedly made by Parliamentary authorities and backed by Commons Speaker John Bercow. | The request was reportedly made by Parliamentary authorities and backed by Commons Speaker John Bercow. |
| If permission were given Mr Benn's body would lie in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft on 26 March. | If permission were given Mr Benn's body would lie in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft on 26 March. |
| Baroness Thatcher's body rested in the chapel on the eve of her funeral in April last year. | Baroness Thatcher's body rested in the chapel on the eve of her funeral in April last year. |
| Mr Benn, who was a Labour MP for nearly 50 years, died last week aged 88. | Mr Benn, who was a Labour MP for nearly 50 years, died last week aged 88. |
| A parliamentary source told the BBC that if permission were granted by the Palace - and that has not yet been forthcoming - Mr Benn's body would lie in the chapel on 26 March, the eve of his funeral. | A parliamentary source told the BBC that if permission were granted by the Palace - and that has not yet been forthcoming - Mr Benn's body would lie in the chapel on 26 March, the eve of his funeral. |
| However, the source stressed that if the application is approved his body would not be put on public display and he would not be "lying in state", adding that it would be a private occasion "for the family". | However, the source stressed that if the application is approved his body would not be put on public display and he would not be "lying in state", adding that it would be a private occasion "for the family". |
| The chapel is sometimes used for weddings and christenings by the families of MPs and peers. | The chapel is sometimes used for weddings and christenings by the families of MPs and peers. |
| The Telegraph has reported that a short service would be held in the event of Mr Benn's body arriving in the chapel and that the Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the chaplain to the Speaker, has already agreed to keep vigil overnight - should permission be granted. But a BBC correspondent has said it is not expected that a religious service will be held. | The Telegraph has reported that a short service would be held in the event of Mr Benn's body arriving in the chapel and that the Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the chaplain to the Speaker, has already agreed to keep vigil overnight - should permission be granted. But a BBC correspondent has said it is not expected that a religious service will be held. |
| Baroness Thatcher's coffin was moved to the chapel the night before her funeral, on 17 April last year, where the Dean of Westminster led a short service for about 100 people. | Baroness Thatcher's coffin was moved to the chapel the night before her funeral, on 17 April last year, where the Dean of Westminster led a short service for about 100 people. |
| Mr Benn, who served in the cabinet throughout the 1970s, died at his home on 14 March, with Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party, and Prime Minister David Cameron, leading the tributes. | Mr Benn, who served in the cabinet throughout the 1970s, died at his home on 14 March, with Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party, and Prime Minister David Cameron, leading the tributes. |
| He was a major figure on the left of the Labour Party, a popular public speaker, an anti-war campaigner and a political diarist. | He was a major figure on the left of the Labour Party, a popular public speaker, an anti-war campaigner and a political diarist. |
| MPs will also pay tribute to Mr Benn, who stood down as an MP in 2001, during a special debate in the House of Commons on Thursday. | MPs will also pay tribute to Mr Benn, who stood down as an MP in 2001, during a special debate in the House of Commons on Thursday. |
| It will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman. |