Ex-Argentina leader calls 'Iron Lady' Thatcher 'alcoholic'

London, Mar 20 (ANI): Former Argentina president Hipolito Yrigoyen has reportedly branded Britain's former prime minister, Margaret Thatcher an 'alcoholic'.

Yrigoyen., who was president of Argentina in 1916 to 1922, and again in 1928 to 1930, claimed that the now-frail Iron Lady suffered from 'the illness of alcoholism'.

The ex-senator also likened her to Argentine dictator General Galtieri who ordered the 1982 invasion and had thousands murdered in a war against his own people, The Sun reports.

"Galtieri and Thatcher share responsibility for the war. He for deciding on occupation and she for using every means to prevent a peaceful solution," Yrigoyen told a newspaper.

"These leaders, as well as sharing the illness of alcoholism, governed in an authoritarian manner. Many young lives were lost and that is the tragedy," he added.

According to the report, Thatcher's long-time ally Norman Tebbit described Yrigoyen's comments as "laughable" and called him "certifiable".

"He is clearly an idiot. This is unutterable fantasy. He is in a delusional state," Tebbit said.

Argentina has been stepping up pressure on Britain ahead of next month's 30th anniversary of the invasion. It still claims ownership of the South Atlantic islands where large deposits of oil have now been found. (ANI)