Blairs 'receive' puppies that 'gave comfort to Thatcher'
Tony and Cherie Blair have been given two of the dachshund puppies that gave comfort to Margaret Thatcher in her final hours, reports the Telegraph.
Tony Blair and wife Cherie attend Margaret Thatcher's funeral. Credit: PA
The Blairs are said to be acquiring the puppies that were among the new litter belonging to Baroness Thatcher’s former private secretary Lord Charles Powell.
Lord Powell showed Baroness Thatcher a video of the puppies on his iPad when he visited her at the Ritz Hotel in her final hours, and which he said prompted “her last smile”.
The late Baroness Thatcher. Credit: PA
The puppies are owned by Lord Powell’s wife Carla, who helped deliver them two months ago, and the couple decided to give them away.
Lady Powell said Cherie agreed a month ago that she would take two of the litter and during Lady Thatcher's funeral they spoke again, according to reports.
Nicola Adams holds her MBE medal. Credit: ITV NewsNatalie Pirks talks to Joanna Rowsell, who was part of the Great Britain cycling team that won gold. Credit: ITV News
Jessica Ennis receives her Commander of the British Empire (CBE) medal. Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA WireGreg Rutherford receives his Member of the British Empire (MBE) medal from the Queen. Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA WireNicola Adams receives her Member of the British Empire (MBE) medal. Credit: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire
Olympic gold medallists Jessica Ennis, Nicola Adams and Greg Rutherford have arrived at Buckingham Palace to receive their honours.
London 2012 poster girl Jessica Ennis is collecting her CBE. Credit: ITV NewsNicola Adams (right), the first woman to win an Olympic gold boxing title, is receiving an MBE. Credit: ITV NewsLong jumper Greg Rutherford (right) picks up his MBE. Credit: ITV News
Codebreaker Raymond Roberts will receive an MBE today for his services to the WWII decryption centre and codebreaking.
One of the court founder members of the Testery section at Bletchley, he was tasked with breaking the German High Command's Tunny code.
Captain Raymond Roberts, a Second World War codebreaker who will receive an MBE Credit: Bletchley Park Trust/PA Wire
The decryptions are credited to helping shorten the war by at least two years.
Captain Roberts worked at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, until the end of the war, he is now the last survivor of the nine cryptanalysts who worked on Tunny.
Raymond "Jerry" Roberts receives and MBE Credit: Bletchley Park Trust/PA Wire
He has spent the last four years campaigning for acknowledgement of his colleagues.
