Thatcher out of hospital after scare

Baroness Thatcher is feeling a lot brighter after a fainting episode and left hospital this afternoon, a spokesman for her office said today.

Precautionary tests on the 82-year-old former Conservative Prime Minister have so far revealed nothing seriously wrong.

Lady Thatcher was driven from her home in central London to nearby St Thomas' Hospital last night.

Her spokesman said today: "She has had a comfortable night. She has been chatting to the nurses and is feeling a lot brighter. They are finishing off testing that is really routine stuff."

The spokesman added: "The tests so far have shown nothing more than a fainting episode."

Lady Thatcher's daughter Carol said her mother had been near the House of Lords when she was taken ill last night.

"At her age and with a history of little strokes, they decided to err on the side of caution," she said.

"But it's good news today. She is doing well."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today he was sorry to hear that Lady Thatcher had been ill.

"We are encouraged to hear that reports about her condition are better and that she will be leaving hospital soon, and I and others wish her well in a very speedy recovery," he said.

Speaking earlier, Charles Moore, biographer of Lady Thatcher, said she suffered a turn after being too hot.