27/08/2003

Former premier Ted Heath treated for blood clot on lung

Sir Edward Heath, the former Tory prime minister, is undergoing treatment at a London hospital today after falling ill while on holiday in Austria.

It is understood that the 87-year-old is suffering from a blood clot on the lung. He had initially sought treatment in a Salzburg hospital for a stomach complaint but further tests revealed the presence of the clot.

Mr Heath returned to England yesterday by air ambulance and he is currently at King Edward VII hospital.

Sir Edward's four-year incumbency at Number 10 was marked by Britain's entry into the EEC and union wranglings as global economic crises gripped the government.

He was defeated by Labour's James Callaghan at the general election of 1974 and was replaced by Margaret Thatcher as leader of the Conservative Party less than a year later.

Sir Edward retired from his Bexley seat at the last general election in 2001 – 50 years after he gave his maiden speech.

(gmcg)

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