NI Reacts To Death Of Margaret Thatcher

Northern Ireland's politicians have been reacting to the news today that former UK Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher has died, aged 87.

The first female British prime Minister in UK history, Lady Thatcher was elected in 1979 and served 11 years unbroken in office.

She had been suffering from dementia and declining health for some years. She withdrew from public life in 2002 after a series of mini strokes.

First Minister Peter Robinson said in a statement: "Margaret Thatcher was a transformative and powerful Prime Minister. She was undoubtedly one of the greatest political figures of post-war Britain and she changed the face of our United Kingdom forever.

"As our first female Prime Minister, she made history and as ‘The Iron Lady’ she was at the front-line of winning The Cold War as well as ensuring the freedom of the Falklands Islands.

"Whilst we disagreed over the Anglo-Irish Agreement, Mrs. Thatcher was committed to the Union and later described the Anglo-Irish Agreement as one of her greatest regrets.

"Although relations were frosty at that time, I had a private social lunch with her in more recent years in much more convivial and positive circumstances.

"As well as a major public figure however Baroness Thatcher was also a devoted mother and our thoughts are with her family as they mourn her loss."

Mike Nesbitt, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, said: "Baroness Thatcher was a colossus of conviction politics. Whilst we in the Ulster Unionist Party would not have agreed with her on everything, particularly the Anglo Irish Agreement, Northern Ireland has reason to be eternally grateful for her stance against terrorism, not least during the hunger-strikes when Northern Ireland was on the edge of something catastrophic.

"Whatever you thought of her as a politician, she was a remarkable public servant who stood by her beliefs and courageously fought against the odds on the national, European and world stage."

The statement from Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams was less complimentary.

"Margaret Thatcher did great hurt to the Irish and British people during her time as British Prime Minister," he said.

"Working class communities were devastated in Britain because of her policies.

"Her role in international affairs was equally belligerent whether in support of the Chilean dictator Pinochet, her opposition to sanctions against apartheid South Africa; and her support for the Khmer Rouge.

"Here in Ireland her espousal of old draconian militaristic policies prolonged the war and caused great suffering. She embraced censorship, collusion and the killing of citizens by covert operations, including the targeting of solicitors like Pat Finucane, alongside more open military operations and refused to recognise the rights of citizens to vote for parties of their choice.

"Unfortunately she was faced with weak Irish governments who failed to oppose her securocrat agenda or to enlist international support in defence of citizens in the north.

"Margaret Thatcher will be especially remembered for her shameful role during the epic hunger strikes of 1980 and 81. Her Irish policy failed miserably."

(IT/CD)