Iron Lady failed to press for release

Former UK prime minister Margaret Thatcher did little to press for the release of Nelson Mandela from prison during her first official meeting with a South African prime minister, according to newly-released government minutes. A summit was held between Mrs Thatcher and PW Botha i n 1984 – t he only such meeting between the two leaders – to discuss the country’s policy towards its black population.

Mr Mandela was at the time in Pollsmoor Prison, serving a life sentence for attempting to overthrow the government, and had become an international symbol of opposition to apartheid.

ButMrsThatcher did not mention Mr Mandela’s detention once in the official discussion with Mr Botha, choosing instead to raise the issue during a short pre-meeting held without note-takers.

According to the late prime minister’s own description of the event, Mr Mandela’s plight was “noted” only during a private audience requested by South Africa to discuss “sensitive issues”.