Oxford dons ready to revolt on new Iron Lady honour

Academics at Oxford University are reportedly divided over a proposed plan to name a new building at the varsity after one of its most illustrious alumnae - the first woman Prime Minister of Britain, Lady Margaret Thatcher.

Wafic Said, the 72-year-old Syrian-born billionaire, has donated some 15 million pounds for a new facility at Oxford's Said Business School, due to open in autumn, and has indicated he wants to name it after the "Iron Lady" of Britain.

But the proposal has divided the university....

Prof Robert Gildea of Worcester College said: "I voted against giving an honorary degree to Mrs Thatcher in 1985 and my views have not changed since then."...