British PM David Cameron sends get well message to Thatcher

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British Prime Minister David Cameron today wished Margaret Thatcher a “speedy recovery” after the 87-year-old former premier underwent a surgery.

87-year-old Thatcher is understood to have had a growth removed from her bladder yesterday in a minor operation. Her spokeswoman said she is doing “absolutely fine” following what was described as “minimally invasive” surgery.

Cameron tweeted that he wished Thatcher a “speedy recovery”. Thatcher, who has suffered from ill health in recent years, was admitted on Thursday and was kept in hospital overnight.

Friends of the former PM said they expect her to remain in hospital for a number of days.

Lord Bell, a friend and former adviser, said: “The operation was a complete success and her condition is satisfactory.

“She’ll stay in hospital for a few more days and then she’ll go home. “She’s very tough. The doctors are perfectly happy. They say the operation has been satisfactory,” the BBC quoted Bell as saying.

Thatcher was the UK’s first woman prime minister and served three terms in that post, between 1979 and 1990. She was called the “Iron Lady” for her personal and political toughness.

She had a series of minor strokes in 2002 and was advised by doctors to stop making public speeches.

She was not well enough to join Queen Elizabeth II for a lunch with Cameron and former Prime Ministers as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of earlier this year.

Two years ago she was unable to attend an 85th birthday party for her hosted by David Cameron at 10 Downing Street.

However, in October she was sufficiently well to mark her 87th birthday with lunch at a London restaurant with her son Mark and his wife.