Politicians and world leaders pay tribute to Margaret Thatcher after her death

Politicians and world leaders have been paying tribute to Margaret Thatcher, also known as the "Iron Lady", the first woman to become British prime minister, who died today aged 87. Here's what they had to say-

The Queen, In a statement from Buckingham Palace, said she was sad to hear the news of Lady Thatcher's death and would be sending a private message of sympathy to the family.

David Cameron (Prime Minister) wrote his first reaction on twitter: "It was with great sadness that l learned of Lady Thatcher's death. We've lost a great leader, a great Prime Minister and a great Briton."

He went on to say: "She didn't just lead our country; she saved our country, and I believe she'll go down as the greatest British peacetime prime minister."

 Barack Obama (American President) "the world has lost one of the great champions of freedom and liberty, and America has lost a true friend".

Nick Clegg (The Deputy Prime Minister) saidshe was "of the defining figures of modern British politics and whatever side of the political debate you stand on, I think no-one would deny she left a lasting imprint on the country she served as prime minister".

Ed Miliband (The leader of the opposition, Labour party) described her as "the crucial figure of that era", saying: "The Labour Party disagreed with much of what she did and she will always remain a controversial figure. But we can disagree and also greatly respect her political achievements and her personal strength." he also said, "I send my deep condolences to Lady Thatcher’s family, in particular Mark and Carol Thatcher."

Not all tributes showed deep sadness though as David Hopper, general secretary of the Durham Miners’ Association (an ex-miner, who turned 70 today, that had spent all of his working life at Wearmouth Colliery) had this to say- “It looks like one of the best birthdays I have ever had. “There’s no sympathy from me for what she did to our community. She destroyed our community, our villages and our people."  

Ceremonial funeral

Thatcher will be given a ceremonial funeral with military honors, British prime minister David Cameron's office said in a statement .

Her final journey will take her from Parliament in Westminster to St. Paul's Cathedral, in an event that will fall just one step short of a full state funeral.

State funerals are generally reserved for monarchs, though they differ little. The last non-royal to receive a state funeral was Winston Churchill, in recognition of his leadership as Britain's prime minister during World War II.

It is understood that Thatcher had been consulted on the details of the service, which is expected to reflect her love of Elgar. There will be no public lying in state at her request, it is understood.