‘Weak’ Haliwell regrets deleting Thatcher tweet

Guardian News and Media/LondonMuch, presumably, to the posthumous chagrin of her hero, Geri Haliwell has revealed herself as a lady all too ready for turning.On Thursday, the Spice Girl took to her blog to explain why she had decided to delete a tweet mourning the death of Margaret Thatcher and to indulge in some self-flagellation.When news of Thatcher’s death broke on Monday, Halliwell tweeted: “Thinking of our 1st Lady of girl power, Margaret Thatcher, a green grocer’s daughter who taught me anything is possible.”However, when her tribute met with a hostile response on the micro-blogging site, the singer removed it and apologised for any offence it had caused. Three days later, she clarified her thoughts on the matter. “I was seven years old when my father told me about the grocer’s daughter who had become the first female prime minister in our history,” she wrote on her blog. “I was enchanted by this -  my father who was always hiding behind the broadsheets spoke about her -  my whole childhood.” In 1996, she went on, she had even mentioned her admiration for Thatcher during an interview with a political magazine. So why had she deleted the tweet? “I was so confused and overwhelmed by some of the feedback I received that I took my tweet down and for that I was called spineless,” said Halliwell, adding that she had been afraid of upsetting people and had even been led to question her view of Thatcher. “Did I even really know enough about Margaret Thatcher?” she wondered. “Was I just trying to be relevant? She had obviously upset a lot of people.” The doubts, however, were dispelled after a little reflection. “Now I realise that I do admire the woman, whether she is right or wrong, regardless of her opinions,” said the singer. “She had the courage to stand by her convictions. Not like me. I look at my behaviour, which exposed how weak I was under fire, not like Margaret Thatcher. Rest in peace.”