London, Dec 4(ANI): UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has come under the scanner for suggesting that former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was not an Iron Lady.
Osborne had earlier boasted that his austerity measures made him 'tougher than Margaret Thatcher'.
Osborne reportedly challenged Thatcher's economic record in a private meeting with Conservative Members of Parliament, The Daily Mail reports.
According to a witness, Osborne refuted the statement alleging that Thatcher made no compromises to clear up Labour measures in 1979.
Osborne countered the argument saying that she was quite prepared to be pragmatic when it suited her.
He cited several examples; including huge amount of money she spent on enterprise zones in rundown cities to implement her economic measures during recession.
He also pointed out that public spending did not fall in real terms during her tenure.
Osborne also appeared to criticise Thatcher during his Autumn Statement in the Commons.
Osborne lauded Education Secretary Michael Gove's efforts, saying he was 'doing more' to transform the British school system 'than anyone who ever had his job before him'.
Thatcher has been Education Secretary between 1970 and 1974 in Edward Heath's Tory administration.
However, most Tories believe her tenure at the Education Department was not the best phase of her political career.
She was dubbed 'milk snatcher' Thatcher after scrapping free school milk for millions of primary school children. (ANI)
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