REVEALED: Denis Thatcher vetted celebrity guest list for 1987 election victory party
2 min read
Newly released files reveal Margaret Thatcher’s husband vetoed high-profile celebrities such as Paul McCartney and David Attenborough from attending a party at Downing Street.
Denis Thatcher gave his input as the then-PM planned a Number 10 reception in April 1988, celebrating her re-election the previous year.
Seeking high-profile guests, a list of “229 without spouses” was drawn up, with some suggestions from former Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, who was then a top aide to the Tory prime minister.
Mr Thatcher went through the proposed guest list with a red pen, marking ticks against those he "would personally like to see included" and question marks beside "those who, I believe, do not help".
In a note to the Private Office, he wrote: "Whilst I accept of course that not everyone who comes to our receptions are necessarily on 'our' side I find it both unpleasant and embarrassing to entertain those who publicly insult the PM.
"This list therefore needs some careful checking in this regard."
He explained that more than one red tick "means super person and a known friend and wonderful to have them here".
Stars such as Rolf Harris, Dame Judi Dench and Ronnie Corbett all received ticks.
But Paul McCartney, David Attenborough, Shirley Bassey and Paul Daniels received question marks.
The Margaret Thatcher Foundation is releasing her private files through the Churchill Archive Centre in Cambridge.
Members of the public will be able to browse the archive from Monday by visiting www.margaretthatcher.org.
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