UK Conservative leader William Hague barred former prime minister Margaret Thatcher from issuing a call for Britain to leave the European Union, it was reported today.
Lady Thatcher agreed to the gagging order after Mr Hague warned it would tear the party in two, The UK's Mail on Sunday said.
The Iron Lady was reportedly set to admit she was wrong to sign a treaty bringing closer trade links with Europe during her time in Downing Street because it paved the way for an EU superstate.
"And she had set aside 16 days to pen the bombshell announcement", timed for March 25 last year, The Mail on Sunday said.
However, she relented after Mr Hague intervened in a bid to prevent Tory pro and anti-Europe factions ripping the party apart.
Senior Tory peer Lord Pearson, one of her closest confidants and a leading anti-EU campaigner told the paper: "She wanted to say it is time to leave Europe but William Hague prevented her from doing it.
"He told her she would split the party completely."
Conservative Central Office refused to comment on the report.
Foreign Secretary Robin Cook described Lady Thatcher as the "authentic voice of the Conservative Party".
"People should listen very closely to what she has to say," Mr Cook said.
"The only difference between her and William Hague is that she is prepared to say publicly what he would prefer to keep to keep private - that the Conservatives see no future for Britain in the European Union.
"The message is clear that a Tory government would put Britain's membership of the European Union in danger and risk more than three million British jobs dependent on the single market."
PA