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Tony Benn's body to share parliament chapel honour with Thatcher Tony Benn's body to share parliament chapel honour with Thatcher
(about 4 hours later)
The Queen has given permission for Tony Benn to become the second politician in history – after Margaret Thatcher – to rest in parliament's chapel of St Mary Undercroft on the eve of his funeral.The Queen has given permission for Tony Benn to become the second politician in history – after Margaret Thatcher – to rest in parliament's chapel of St Mary Undercroft on the eve of his funeral.
It was granted after Black Rod wrote to the monarch asking whether it would be possible to award him the honour, given that the chapel is a "royal peculiar" – or part of the royal estate.It was granted after Black Rod wrote to the monarch asking whether it would be possible to award him the honour, given that the chapel is a "royal peculiar" – or part of the royal estate.
Although his highest role in government was cabinet minister, the privilege is being given to Benn because he is one of only two MPs to receive the freedom of the House of Commons in recognition of his service for half a century. The other was Edward Heath. The former MP, advocate of the left and anti-war campaigner, who died last week, also placed a plaque in a cupboard of the crypt in memory of suffragette Emily Wilding Davison. Although his highest role in government was cabinet minister, the privilege is being given to Benn because he is one of only two MPs to receive the freedom of the House of Commons in recognition of his service for half a century. The other was Edward Heath.
A spokesman for the House of Lords said the family of Benn had made an approach to the speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow. The former MP, advocate of the left and anti-war campaigner, who died last week, aged 88, also placed a plaque in a cupboard of the crypt in memory of suffragette Emily Wilding Davison.
A Benn family spokesperson said: "At the suggestion of the Speaker and by agreement with the Lords Speaker, Black Rod and the Dean of Westminster Abbey, an approach has been made by Black Rod to the Palace for agreement that Mr Benn's body rest in the chapel of St Mary's Undercroft on the night before his funeral." A Benn family spokesperson said: "At the suggestion of the Speaker of the House of Commons and by agreement with the Lords Speaker, Black Rod and the dean of Westminster Abbey, an approach was made by Black Rod to the palace for agreement that Mr Benn's body rest in the chapel of St Mary Undercroft on the night before his funeral.
It is intended that the body be received at the chapel next Wednesday and remain there overnight so that MPs, peers and others working in the Palace of Westminster can visit to pay tribute to Benn, whose 16 election wins were the most achieved by any Labour MP. "The family were deeply touched by the Speaker's suggestion and would like to thank all those who have made it possible for their father to spend his last night in parliament."
Although planning is still under way, it is almost certain that the funeral will take place at St Margaret's church, which is located between Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Invitations are expected to be sent out in the coming days. A number of tickets will also be made available to the public. It is intended that the body be received at the chapel next Wednesday and remain there overnight so that MPs, peers and others working in the Palace of Westminster can visit to pay tribute to Benn, whose 16 election wins were the most achieved by any Labour MP. It is almost certain that the funeral will take place at St Margaret's church, which is located between Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament.
Invitations are expected to be sent out in the coming days. A number of tickets will also be made available to the public.
In line with her own wishes, Thatcher's coffin was placed in the chapel, which is located alongside the much grander Westminster Hall, a location for state funerals, and where a short service took place before her funeral last year.In line with her own wishes, Thatcher's coffin was placed in the chapel, which is located alongside the much grander Westminster Hall, a location for state funerals, and where a short service took place before her funeral last year.