Margaret Thatcher adored 'useless, pretty faces'

London, July 29 (ANI): Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher promoted male politicians she found attractive, even if they were 'useless', one of her Ministers has claimed in a new book.

David Waddington, who served as her Chief Whip and Home Secretary, said she had a weakness for a 'pretty face' and colleagues tried to talk her out of some appointments, according to the Daily Mail.

In his autobiography, Dispatches From Margaret Thatcher's Last Home Secretary, Lord Waddington writes: "When it came to discussing ministerial appointments, one thing was quite apparent and that was the Prime Minister liked a pretty face. Once or twice she had to be discouraged when she wished to see some good-looking fellow promoted who was known to be useless."

"I am talking of an interesting foible. I am not suggesting for one moment that she was not perfectly capable in the ordinary course of events of picking competent people," he added.

The 82-year-old peer then pointed out a colleague he regarded as over-promoted.

"There was a time when her eyes lighted on a Minister who she talked of as a possible successor. He was a fine-looking chap but no one else thought that he was anything like up to the job," said Lord Waddington.

Lord Waddington does not name the Minister, but it is suspected that he may be talking about former Social Security Secretary John Moore, now Lord Moore of Lower Marsh, who was known for his filmstar looks and was described as a 'Thatcher protege' who could eventually replace her.

Dubbed 'Mr Privatisation' after becoming a major figure in the Government's denationalisation programme, his career hit the rocks when he tried to extend the principles to health and social security. He was eventually sacked from the Cabinet in 1989 and left the House of Commons in 1992.

He subsequently took up a number of directorships and chairmanships. (ANI)