Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher dies aged 87

The Prime Minister David Cameron has led tributes to his predecessor, Baroness Thatcher who has died aged 87 from a stroke.

Describing it as "a truly sad day for our country", Mr Cameron said "we have lost a great prime minister, a great leader, a great Briton".

Baroness Thatcher's spokesperson Lord Bell announced her death, saying "It is with great sadness that Mark and Carol Thatcher announced that their mother Baroness Thatcher died peacefully following a stroke this morning."

Margaret Thatcher was Conservative prime minister from 1979 to 1990.

Having been education secretary, she successfully challenged former prime minister Edward Heath for her party's leadership in 1975.

Born Margaret Hilda Roberts in Grantham, Lincolnshire on 13 October 1925, she married businessman Denis Thatcher in 1951 and became MP for Finchley in North London in 1959. Baroness Thatcher was Conservative prime minister from 1979 to 1990 winning general elections in 1979, 1983 and 1987 - the first woman to hold the post.

Margaret Thatcher's government privatised several state-owned industries. She was also in power when the UK went to war with Argentina over the Falkland Islands in 1982. She controversially legislated to reduce the power of the trade unions and took on the National Union of Mineworkers during the strike of 1984. She famously introduced the right to buy council homes for tenants and with then US President, Ronald Reagan, worked towards ending the West's 'Cold War' with the Soviet Union after which she enjoyed good relations with reforming President Mikhail Gorbachev.

In 1984, she narrowly escaped with her life when the Grand Hotel in Brighton was bombed by the IRA during the Conservative Party conference, killing 5 people.

The Labour leader Ed Miliband sent his deep condolences to Baroness Thatcher's family. He said: "She will be remembered as a unique figure. She reshaped the politics of a whole generation...She coped with her final, difficult years with dignity and courage. Critics and supporters will remember her in her prime."

The Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg described her as ""one of the defining figures of modern British politics. I think everyone will be united today in acknowledging the strength of her character and the radicalism of her politics." 

There will not be a state funeral but Baroness Thatcher will be accorded the same status as Princess Diana and the Queen Mother. A ceremony, with full military honours, will take place at London's St Paul's Cathedral.

The House of Commons will be recalled later this week to enable MPs to pay tribute.

As a mark of respect, the union flag above Number 10 Downing Street and Parliament has been lowered to half-mast.