Margaret Thatcher: Unveiling of statue of former Prime Minister to go ahead despite 'egg throwing contest'

A large-scale £100,000 unveiling ceremony for a statue of Baroness Margaret Thatcher has been approved, despite plans for an "egg throwing contest".

In February last year, a planning committee unanimously voted in favour of the £300,000 statue - which was originally intended for Parliament Square in Westminster.

It is now set to stand on a 10ft-high granite plinth in Baroness Thatcher's home town of Grantham, Lincolnshire, due to fears of a "motivated far-left movement... who may be committed to public activism".

Margaret Thatcher outside 10 Downing Street in 1979. PA Photo.

The unveiling ceremony, approved by South Kesteven District Council on Tuesday, has also attracted attention from protestors despite the council leader describing it as a "fantastic opportunity for the Grantham community to celebrate its heritage".

A report to the council meeting invited its Cabinet to approve the installation of the statue on St Peter's Hill Green, in accordance with agreed planning permission.

The official report proposed expenditure of up to £100,000 to "underwrite" the statue unveiling event and any consequential works, alongside contributions from the community and businesses.

It is envisaged that an external organisation will be engaged to coordinate the unveiling.

The report stated: "The unveiling of the statue provides an opportunity for Grantham's community to celebrate its heritage.

"The event will be used to promote 'Inspirational Women of South Kesteven.”

Although no date for the unveiling has yet been set, a Facebook group proposing an "egg-throwing contest" at the unveiling has already attracted interest from more than 13,000 people.

Around 2,400 others visited the Facebook page to say they would go to the event including "egg throwing... and potentially graffiti art".

Reporting by PA

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