Wednesday, August 11, 1999 Published at 06:46 GMT 07:46 UK
Major damns 'intolerable' Thatcher
John Major's joy at reaching Number 10 soon ebbed
Former Prime Minister John Major has described Lady Thatcher's behaviour during his spell at 10 Downing Street as "intolerable", in interviews for a BBC series.
The programme reveals Mr Major lost patience with Lady Thatcher - who had promoted him to the job of chancellor in her own government - when she claimed she to be a "very good backseat driver."
Mr Major said: "In retrospect, I think her behaviour was intolerable."
But his waned when he took decisions of which she appeared to disapprove. Mr Major told BBC her comments "drove a wedge between us".
The makers of The Major Years said the former prime minister spoke with "devastating frankness" when looking back at his period in the highest political office.
He gave 15 interviews of two hours each for the series, roaming over a range of subjects, including the Tories' splits on Europe, the disloyalty of some of his Cabinet and Black Wednesday when the UK left the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.
Other interviewees for the series included Michael Portillo, Kenneth Clarke, Douglas Hurd, Chris Patten and John Redwood.
Lady Thatcher herself refused to take part.
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