Thatcher "set to leave hospital"

Baroness Thatcher is expected to go home from hospital later after being admitted for tests. The 82-year-old former UK prime minister spent the night at St Thomas' Hospital in London after falling ill at a House of Lords dinner. Thatcher "set to leave hospital" Her spokesman said she felt "giddy and queasy". However, she is now said to be feeling brighter and chatting to staff. In 2002, Lady Thatcher had a series of minor strokes and was advised by doctors to stop making public speeches. A Conservative Party spokeswoman said of Lady Thatcher's hospital admission on Friday: "We have been in touch with her office and we wish her well." Charles Moore, former editor of the Daily Telegraph and a biographer of Lady Thatcher, said people close to her were "optimistic" about her condition. He told BBC News: "Things are not too bad." He added: "I've just spoken to some people close to her and I think what seems to have happened, Lady Thatcher is susceptible to heat and it sometimes gives her - and it does sometimes with old people - a turn. "I think that's what's happened but obviously there is always some concern with someone that age." "Conviction politician" The Tory peer's strokes have affected her short-term memory, according to friends, but she continues to fulfill a number of public engagements. She last appeared in public three weeks ago when she opened a new infirmary for Chelsea pensioners. In January, Lady Thatcher was presented with a lifetime achievement award by David Cameron at a ceremony in London. The current Conservative leader described her as a "towering figure" who had "transformed our country". She also won praise from Prime Minister Gordon Brown during a high-profile visit to Downing Street last year. Labour's long-time foe was, he said, a "conviction politician". It was a visit that led Tory MPs to accuse Mr Brown of hypocrisy. Lady Thatcher lives in Belgravia, central London. Her husband, Sir Denis Thatcher, died in June 2003, aged 88. She was prime minister for 11 years before resigning, under pressure from her party, in 1990.

Thatcher "set to leave hospital"

Her spokesman said she felt "giddy and queasy". However, she is now said to be feeling brighter and chatting to staff.

In 2002, Lady Thatcher had a series of minor strokes and was advised by doctors to stop making public speeches.

A Conservative Party spokeswoman said of Lady Thatcher's hospital admission on Friday: "We have been in touch with her office and we wish her well."

Charles Moore, former editor of the Daily Telegraph and a biographer of Lady Thatcher, said people close to her were "optimistic" about her condition.

He told BBC News: "Things are not too bad."

He added: "I've just spoken to some people close to her and I think what seems to have happened, Lady Thatcher is susceptible to heat and it sometimes gives her - and it does sometimes with old people - a turn.

"I think that's what's happened but obviously there is always some concern with someone that age."

"Conviction politician"

The Tory peer's strokes have affected her short-term memory, according to friends, but she continues to fulfill a number of public engagements.

She last appeared in public three weeks ago when she opened a new infirmary for Chelsea pensioners.

In January, Lady Thatcher was presented with a lifetime achievement award by David Cameron at a ceremony in London.

The current Conservative leader described her as a "towering figure" who had "transformed our country".

She also won praise from Prime Minister Gordon Brown during a high-profile visit to Downing Street last year. Labour's long-time foe was, he said, a "conviction politician".

It was a visit that led Tory MPs to accuse Mr Brown of hypocrisy.

Lady Thatcher lives in Belgravia, central London. Her husband, Sir Denis Thatcher, died in June 2003, aged 88.

She was prime minister for 11 years before resigning, under pressure from her party, in 1990.