Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher has made a rare public appearance, mistakenly attending a party to mark Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox's 50th birthday.
A spokesman for the Baroness said "There has clearly been some misunderstanding, Lady Thatcher only attended to keep an appointment for a routine medical check up".
In 2005, in the wake of some minor strokes, Dr Fox had advised Lady Thatcher that she should not make any more public speeches. After consuming a number of bottles of champagne Dr Fox denied any professional misconduct, insisting that his advice to Mrs Thatcher during his failed leadership campaign had been proved to be very successful.
"The health of the Conservative party continued to improve over the following years whilst Mrs T remained silent" said Dr Fox "I felt no need to alter my previous prescription".
Lady Thatcher, following medical advice, refused to comment, but her spokesman said "The Baroness continues to have every confidence in Dr Fox whose career she has followed closely since his Pop Idol days".
