The family of late Conservative minister Sir Humphrey Atkins has hit back furiously at shocking new claims suggesting he had an affair with former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
The accusations appear in The Incidental Feminist, a newly released biography by Tina Gaudoin, but his children have dismissed the story as nothing more than “a cynical publicity stunt” designed to sell books.
According to the book, Lady Thatcher—long regarded as utterly devoted to her husband Denis throughout their five-decade marriage—was allegedly romantically involved with two men during her political career.
One of them was reportedly an unnamed MP early in her time in Parliament, and the other was claimed to be Sir Humphrey, who served in her first government.
The author suggests Thatcher was so taken by him that she promoted him and later supported his elevation to the House of Lords.
Family Denies Every Claim
Sir Humphrey’s son, Charles Atkins, didn’t hold back when speaking to The Daily Mail, calling the claims “complete nonsense.”
The 72-year-old former barrister insisted his father was a man of integrity who would never have had an affair with anyone, let alone the country’s Prime Minister.
“It is vanishingly obvious he didn’t have an affair,” Charles said bluntly.
“This woman is trying to sell books.”
He also revealed that neither he nor his two surviving siblings had been contacted by Gaudoin before the book’s release—something he believes shows how little credibility the claims deserve.
A source close to his sister, Sheila, echoed his sentiment, saying she “won’t entertain this story” and believes it’s beneath serious consideration.
The Alleged Sources Behind the Rumour
In her book, Gaudoin claims several individuals—including former Tory minister and author Jonathan Aitken—told her that Thatcher was romantically linked to another MP early in her career and possibly later to Sir Humphrey.
Aitken reportedly said, “There were knowledgeable rumours to that effect at the time.
His good looks might have appealed to her, but his political brain was hopeless.”
Gaudoin also quoted another unnamed politician who allegedly joked, “For someone who was not very good, Atkins kept getting promoted. Now why was that?”
Such comments, the Atkins family insists, are baseless gossip taken out of context and recycled decades later for sensationalism.
Sir Humphrey’s Distinguished Career and Legacy
Sir Humphrey Atkins served as a Member of Parliament for 32 years, holding key positions including Chief Whip under Edward Heath and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during Thatcher’s premiership.
Known for his loyalty and calm demeanour, he resigned alongside Lord Carrington in 1982 following the Argentine invasion of the Falklands, demonstrating his sense of accountability.
In 1987, he was granted a life peerage and became Baron Colnbrook of Waltham St. Lawrence.
Before his political rise, he had a remarkable childhood—part of it spent in colonial Kenya—until tragedy struck when his father was killed by a charging rhinoceros.
Historians Weigh In
Lord Charles Moore, Thatcher’s official biographer, admitted he had heard whispers of an affair between Thatcher and Atkins years ago but said he never found credible evidence to support it.
“There was never anything compelling,” Moore stated, underscoring that such rumours were typical of the political circles in which Thatcher operated.
Meanwhile, The Incidental Feminist also delves into other personal aspects of Thatcher’s life, including her husband Denis’s surprising friendship with model and showgirl Mandy Rice-Davies, who gained notoriety during the 1963 Profumo scandal.
Public Reaction and What Comes Next
Although Gaudoin’s book was released last month, the claims only began to make headlines after her recent appearance at the Cheltenham Literary Festival.
Since then, the controversy has reignited debates about how far biographers should go when revisiting the private lives of historical figures.
The Daily Mail reportedly attempted to reach Sir Humphrey’s other children for comment but received no response.
For now, his family remains united in dismissing the claims, standing firm that the late minister’s reputation as a loyal husband and statesman should remain untarnished.