Dear Mr Kinnock,
In the House of Commons this afternoon you used these words: “The Rt Hon Lady says now, and she has said to me before, that she was not involved in the decision to prosecute. Frankly, I do not believe the Rt Hon Lady.”
The statement that the Leader of the Opposition does not believe a statement by the Prime Minister—both Privy Counsellors—before the whole House of Commons is as serious a charge as could be made. Your charge is utterly untrue. If you cannot substantiate it—and you cannot—I must demand that you withdraw it and apologize unreservedly and immediately.
Yours sincerely,
Margaret Thatcher.
[end p1]Dear Prime Minister,
I have your letter.
As I have repeatedly said in the House this afternoon, my words stand unless and until an adequate explanation is given of the decision to prosecute Mr Ponting.
That is necessary since Mr Ponting testified on oath that his superiors told him that it “would be an end of the matter” if he resigned from the Civil Service and he was plainly given to understand that he would not be prosecuted.
When even the prosecuting counsel in the trial said “it is not suggested that the disclosures in fact damaged national security”, there is obviously further reason to secure an explanation of the decision to prosecute.
I note your statements this afternoon that you were not involved and Ministers had no role in the decision to prosecute Mr Ponting. It is clear from your letter that you maintain your position. So do I.
Yours sincerely,
Neil Kinnock.