Margaret Thatcher Won’t Accept Award

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher will not accept the Jesuit-run Boston College’s highest award, school officials said Monday.

After protests from the 12 Jesuit priests in Northern Ireland and some Irish-Americans, Thatcher told the school she will be unable to attend the May 5 dinner at which she was to receive the Ignatius Medal, college spokesman Douglas Whiting said.

One of the 12 Jesuit priests, the Rev. Brian Lennon, said Thatcher’s policies at home and abroad make her a poor choice for the award.