The Iron Lady turns to stone

Here's the statue that will frighten children visiting the House of Commons for generations to come. Unveiled today, this 8ft tall, two-ton sculpture of Margaret Thatcher was commissioned by an anonymous benefactor in 1998 as an addition to the pantheon of premiers in the House of Commons lobby.

However, even though the flesh-and-blood Baroness Thatcher is safely ensconced across from the Palace of Westminster in the House of Lords, her effigy is causing just as much brouhaha in the Commons as the real thing once did.

A rule says no statue of politicians can be placed in Parliament until five years after their death - and, at a spirited 76, the Baroness is very much alive and kicking.

However, Labour MP Tony Banks - of all people - is determined it will find a home in Parliament. As chairman of the House of Commons Committee on Works of Art, a man famed as a Left-wing firebrand is adamant the effigy belongs there due to Baroness Thatcher's status as the country's first, and so far only, woman prime minister.

"It's not," emphasised Mr Banks, "out of any admiration for her politics."

He is, though, clearly fond of the statue. At today's unveiling, at sculptor Neil Simmons's studio just off Deptford High Street, it was the Member of Parliament for West Ham who spotted that a large screen was about to topple on to the statue and he leapt forward to hold it back and avert disaster.

However, his affection runs only so far. "I've never been this bloody close before," said Mr Banks somewhat fearfully as he posed next to the marble statue. When asked to kiss her white cheek he replied: "Which particular cheek are you talking about?"

Simmons's work is certainly a remarkable likeness, right down to the trademark handbag looped ominously over Lady Thatcher's right wrist.

The marble lady is, if anything, slightly more severe than the iron original. Baroness Thatcher has described it as "visionary" but many may find that vision slightly frightening.

Baroness Thatcher sat for Simmons on seven occasions, first in her office, then in her home and then under the railway bridge that runs over his Deptford studio. The sculptor said today: "She was wonderful to work with. I keep telling people how wonderful she was to work with - but nobody seems to believe me."

In her final sittings the Baroness even mounted a 5ft scaffold to help the sculptor.

On 12 February, Mr Banks's committee will announce both a temporary and an ultimate permanent home for the statue.

Although he refused to give anything away today, Mr Banks had the air of a man confident that his ambition - to see the statue in the Houses of Parliament - will be achieved.

In the meantime destinations as diverse as Arizona and Grantham could be its host. Lake Havasu City, already home to London Bridge, and the council in her Grantham birthplace have both offered to house it. Some in Parliament feel strongly it should go to Arizona - and not just temporarily.