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Thatcher Linked To US Corruption Probe
based on a report by Bob Roberts. October 3, 2005
A document linking Margaret Thatcher to a US corruption probe is so explosive civil servants have been asked to ensure it remains "sealed".
The 79-year-old former Premier is said to have met Congressman Tom DeLay in Britain while he was on a suspected favours-for-freebies scam.
In return for his free holiday, DeLay -- who resigned as Republican leader of Congress last week after being accused of laundering political funds -- allegedly backed legislation favourable to lobby groups.
Disclosing that US authorities were seeking aid from UK counterparts, a secret Home Office briefing says: "One visit to the UK involved a meeting with Mrs Margaret Thatcher. Evidence is sought from her about that meeting and her involvement in the alleged deception and violation of US criminal laws."
In the dossier headed "Secret...wider circulation strictly forbidden", civil servants then warn ministers: "There would be considerable press interest in this case if it were to become public knowledge.
"We have been asked by the US to keep this request 'sealed', which we take to mean as confidential as possible. This has been relayed to the Crown Office and Metropolitan Police. Our normal line is that we neither confirm nor deny the existence of any request until it is in the public domain and there is no reason to change that course of action here."
The revelations will be a body-blow to Lady Thatcher's reputation. If she is found to have been involved in the alleged scam she could face a criminal probe in the US or even be banned from travelling to the country.
You have been reading excerpts from "KEEP IT SEALED KEEP IT SECRET" by Bob Roberts. You can read the entire piece here: tinyurl.com/a5drn. Thanks to mirror.co.uk. Real journalism is still alive in Britain.
based on a report by Bob Roberts. October 3, 2005
A document linking Margaret Thatcher to a US corruption probe is so explosive civil servants have been asked to ensure it remains "sealed".
The 79-year-old former Premier is said to have met Congressman Tom DeLay in Britain while he was on a suspected favours-for-freebies scam.
In return for his free holiday, DeLay -- who resigned as Republican leader of Congress last week after being accused of laundering political funds -- allegedly backed legislation favourable to lobby groups.
Disclosing that US authorities were seeking aid from UK counterparts, a secret Home Office briefing says: "One visit to the UK involved a meeting with Mrs Margaret Thatcher. Evidence is sought from her about that meeting and her involvement in the alleged deception and violation of US criminal laws."
In the dossier headed "Secret...wider circulation strictly forbidden", civil servants then warn ministers: "There would be considerable press interest in this case if it were to become public knowledge.
"We have been asked by the US to keep this request 'sealed', which we take to mean as confidential as possible. This has been relayed to the Crown Office and Metropolitan Police. Our normal line is that we neither confirm nor deny the existence of any request until it is in the public domain and there is no reason to change that course of action here."
The revelations will be a body-blow to Lady Thatcher's reputation. If she is found to have been involved in the alleged scam she could face a criminal probe in the US or even be banned from travelling to the country.
You have been reading excerpts from "KEEP IT SEALED KEEP IT SECRET" by Bob Roberts. You can read the entire piece here: tinyurl.com/a5drn. Thanks to mirror.co.uk. Real journalism is still alive in Britain.
