The Bishop of Grantham has criticised the holding of a ceremonial funeral on Wednesday for Margaret Thatcher.
The Rt Rev Dr Tim Ellis says it is a “mistake” to spend a reported £10 million on the funeral and that holding the funeral on such a scale in London was “asking for trouble”.
Baroness Thatcher will be given a ceremonial funeral with full military honours at St Paul’s Cathedral, which will be attended by the Queen.
Dr Ellis condemned those who held “parties” celebrating the death of Baroness Thatcher but said: “I am not surprised by the parties, which show that events of 30 or 40 years ago still engender that kind of violent reaction because her reign was very divisive and controversial, and people still remember that today.
“In a context where there is great ill feeling about her legacy, we have a situation where we seem to be expecting the nation to glorify that with a £10 million funeral it is asking for trouble. People with extreme views will use it to promote their political views.
“We should be marking her as a person in Grantham and with a more low-key, personal marking.”
Dr Ellis Ellis made his remarks over the weekend. This morning a spokesman said he would not make any further comment.