‘Margaret Thatcher was sexist’: Kirsty Wark claims late PM had a ‘sharp go’ at her

She was the Iron Lady who ruled in a male-dominated world.

But broadcaster Kirsty Wark has suggested Margaret Thatcher was sexist after the former prime minister accused her of ‘impertinence’ after a tough interview.

Miss Wark, 65, said she ‘infuriated’ Mrs Thatcher during a grilling for BBC Scotland in 1990 which resulted in the late politician having a ‘very sharp go’ at her.

Speaking to Radio Times, Miss Wark recalled how Mrs Thatcher attempted to ‘soften’ her up – after the BBC refused Downing Street’s request that a man conduct the interview. 

Sir Bernard Ingham, Thatcher’s chief press secretary, had been dissatisfied with the broadcaster’s choice of interviewer.

Miss Wark, a presenter on BBC2’s Newsnight since 1993, said: ‘I respected her very much, she was a very strong leader and we prepared intensely for it.

‘She’d done her research because she tried to soften me up by saying, ‘It’s difficult for women holding down a career’.’

Speaking to Radio Times, Miss Wark recalled how Mrs Thatcher attempted to ‘soften’ her up – after the BBC refused Downing Street’s request that a man conduct the interview

She added: ‘Once the interview began, she tried to put me off course.’ 

Miss Wark said she believes she received an ear-bashing from the Tory leader when the interview finished because it had made her feel ‘uncomfortable’.

She said: ‘Mrs Thatcher thought I was impertinent, though I don’t think she would have thought a man was impertinent. I’d made her feel so uncomfortable that she had a very sharp go at me afterwards.

‘She was standing right up beside me, accusing me of interrupting her. I just smiled, and stood my ground.’

Miss Wark has also presented on BBC2 arts programme The Late Show and documentary series One Foot in the Past.