New book claims Margaret Thatcher had two extramarital affairs

A new book alleges former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher engaged in two extramarital affairs and maintained an "extracurricular friendship" with a close aide who would touch her knee during dinners.

Tina Gaudoin's "The Incidental Feminist" claims Thatcher had an affair early in her parliamentary career and another with MP Sir Humphrey Atkins. The author cited sources including former Conservative minister Jonathan Aitken, who acknowledged "knowledgeable rumours" about the Atkins relationship.

The book also describes Thatcher's PR chief Tim Bell having an "extracurricular friendship" with the Prime Minister, noting his knee-touching during dinners among "other stuff" as "one of her favourite things."

Charles Moore, Thatcher's biographer, told The Times he found both claims "vanishingly unlikely" and had seen no supporting evidence. Gaudoin presented her findings at the Cheltenham Literature Festival, suggesting Thatcher was "far more sexy in person than she appeared" and created "a definite frisson" when entering rooms.