Margaret Thatcher spent thousands to keep pearl necklace gifts before leaving No10
Margaret Thatcher coughed up her own cash to buy three pearl necklaces presented to her by foreign dignitaries just before leaving No10.
National Archives documents released today show the ex-Tory PM, who was rarely seen without her trademark pearls, spent thousands on a departing gift to herself.
They included a "double strand pearl necklace and pearl ring" gifted to her by the Amir of Bahrain in 1988 and valued at £110 and £75. A separate pearl necklace - estimated at £600 - was also presented by Crown Prince of Bahrain the same year.
And a third pearl necklace, bracelet and earrings from King Hassan of Morocco in 1987 were valued at £1,450, £900 and £350 respectively. Under government rules at the time the valuation limit on gifts was £75 - meaning Ms Thatcher forked out £3,260 to keep the gifts after her resignation.
The official records published today also show the ex-Labour PM Tony Blair was delighted to keep a guitar presented to him by the rock star Bono.
Sir Tony was keen to take advantage of rules on ministerial gifts to buy the instrument given to him by the U2 singer and Live Aid campaigner once he left office.
It also shows the former PM was advised to repay thousands of pounds in discounts which he received on designer clothes. No 10 officials recommended he should pay back more than £7,600 on items bought from Nicole Farhi and Paul Smith.
The discounts were negotiated by his wife Cherie's controversial friend and style adviser, Carole Caplin, who bought clothes for Mrs Blair. Ms Caplin told officials that because she bought the clothes wholesale she was able to to secure discounts of up to 60% - including on items bought for Mr Blair as well.
However, officials were concerned that such large discounts would not be available to ordinary members of the public. According to the files, between July 2001 to December 2002 the couple spent £8,021.50 with one designer alone - Nicole Farhi - when the retail price would have been £20,855.
It meant the total discount they received came to £12,8343, more than the total amount they spent.
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