Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Remarks visiting Dagenham (kidnap of Terry Waite)

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Fords Youth Training Centre, Dagenham
Source: Thatcher Archive: transcript
Editorial comments: 0920-1035. At her next appointment (an old people’s centre in Hornchurch) MT made the remark "I am in No.10 because I went to a grammar school" (Romford and Hornchurch Recorder, 30 January 1987).
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 207
Themes: Foreign policy (Middle East), Terrorism, Autobiographical comments

Q

Prime Minister, could I ask you if there is any news of Terry Waite from the Foreign Office yet?

A

I have regretfully no more news as you know. It is the way Terry Waitehe works and is part of his success in a way that he distances himself from Government, and we, I'm afraid have no more news. I wish we had.

Q

Do you think he was ill advised to go to Beirut on this mission?

A

Terry Waite is a man of enormous courage and bravery and he believes in trying to do whatever he can to help hostages of whatever nationality. He makes his own judgement. He's that sort of person. We have no bad news. Lambeth Palace is out of contact with him. We hope, as everyone else does that we'll soon have him back again.

Q

Are you satisfied about the work the Embassy is doing?

A

The Embassy is doing everything it possibly can. But Terry Waite works on his own, just as a unique person. And his bravery, his skills and the respect he commands the world over are remarkable. And I hope that these are a great protection for the work he is doing.