John Whittingdale: Thatcher warned EU was not going in a direction that was in the best interests for Britain

Former Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher felt Europe was not going in the direction which was in the best interests of Britain, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has told ITV News.

Mr Whittingdale worked as political secretary to Thatcher from 1988 until he was elected to parliament. He remained close to her until she died.

Speaking to Tom Bradby on tonight's ITV Agenda, Mr Whittingdale says: "I don't think it's fair to say what she would do, all I will say is that there was no question that she was the first person to warn about the direction the European Union was going in the Bruges speech and she became steadily stronger in her view.

"I remember Maastricht when I was first elected, her telling me that I must not vote for it under any circumstances. I didn't. And I have no doubt the strength of her view that Europe is not going in the direction which she felt was in the best interests of this country."

Holding up The Agenda front page he had created which depicted the Brexit 'Magnificent Seven', Mr Whittinghdale says: "When we were originally debating how many people would be supporting exit all the newspapers said there were five members of the cabinet, and so we were the Famous Five at that time.

"And then we were joined by Michael Gove, so we became six. And of course now Boris has arrived and so... [he holds his front-page headline The Magnificent Seven]. I'm just hoping we don't become the Hateful Eight."

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Watch the full interview on The Agenda tonight on ITV at 10.45pm.