Theresa May says vandalism fears must not halt Margaret Thatcher statue
2 min read
Theresa May has urged the authorities to dismiss vandalism fears and put up a statue of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
Plans for a 10ft bronze of the now deceased ex-Tory leader were dreamed up by a campaign group hoping to honour her memory.
But the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Royal Parks Agency - which owns the strip of Parliament Square earmarked for the project - have lodged a formal objection to the plans.
They insist the family of the late Conservative leader has not given permission, while mandarins in Whitehall are worried it will be vandalised by left wingers, according to The Sun.
But asked about the row during the G20 in Hamburg today, Mrs May said: “There should be no suggestion that the threat of vandalism should stop a statue of Margaret Thatcher from being put up.”
The plans say the statue will strike “a resolute posture looking towards the Parliament with a stern gaze” but Lady Thatcher’s trademark handbag will be absent.
According to The Times, Carol Thatcher, the former Prime Minister’s daughter, has objected to the absence of her mother's iconic handbag on the £300,000 statue.
A Royal Parks spokesperson said: “Numerous times we have requested assurances from the applicant that they have approval from the family for the statue. To date we have not had those assurances.”
A Westminster City Council spokesperson said: “The council is unable to comment on outstanding planning applications. This proposal is currently being considered and a decision will be taken in due course.
“As with any planning application, the council considers proposals for new monuments based on each scheme’s merits and in accordance with our existing policies.”
Lady Thatcher died in 2013. According to tradition there should be a 10-year wait between the death of a public figure and the building of a memorial to them.
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