'Groper' Alfred Roberts and his favourite daughter, who became Margaret Thatcher.
There are reports that Thatcher's father sexually abused young girls.
In 1997 the magazine Punch published an article by Professor Bernard Crick featuring allegations, including one from an alleged victim, that Alfred Roberts had been involved in several sexual assaults on young women.
Thatcher's dad: mayor, preacher, groper - News - The Independent
The article claimed that Roberts was the inspiration for a lecherous character who was a local councillor and grocer in the 1937 satire of Grantham, Rotten Borough. [12]
Alfred Roberts - Wikipedia
Alfred Roberts - Wikipedia
Alf Robert's shop where girls were allegedly groped.
Alfred Roberts sexually abused young female assistants working in his grocer's shop, according to the distinguished political biographer Professor Bernard Crick.
Margaret Thatcher's dad "was a notorious toucher-up".
The sexual assaults reportedly took place behind the counter of the shop.
"Older teachers," Professor Crick was told by a Grantham friend, "all remembered ... trying ...to steer girls away from taking jobs at his shop.
"They were frightened to hint at the real reason: for he was a figure of real power in the town."
Margaret Thatcher's dad "was a notorious toucher-up".
The sexual assaults reportedly took place behind the counter of the shop.
"Older teachers," Professor Crick was told by a Grantham friend, "all remembered ... trying ...to steer girls away from taking jobs at his shop.
"They were frightened to hint at the real reason: for he was a figure of real power in the town."
According to Peter Hadlow, 76, who lived almost next door to Alf Roberts:
"Quite a broad spectrum of people said it. It was all over Grantham virtually...
"But he was an Alderman and so that sort of thing got hushed up. It was a question of who do you believe - a teenage girl, or Mr Roberts?"
Thatchers with Skye McAlpine, daughter of Lord McAlpine, who was the Tory Party Treasurer while Thatcher was prime Minister.
A 74-year-old woman from Grantham told the Independent on Sunday that she had been sexually abused on frequent occasions by Alderman Roberts, when she worked in his shop, aged just 15.
She said:
A 74-year-old woman from Grantham told the Independent on Sunday that she had been sexually abused on frequent occasions by Alderman Roberts, when she worked in his shop, aged just 15.
She said:
"He was a bad one. He came round and put his arms around me, feeling my breasts. He used to put his tongue in my mouth.
"I got quite frightened. I didn't like it and I'd push him away. He'd say nothing and go, but then he would come back again. He used to chase other girls round the counter."
"I got quite frightened. I didn't like it and I'd push him away. He'd say nothing and go, but then he would come back again. He used to chase other girls round the counter."
The woman was then a chorister at the Methodist chapel where Alderman Roberts was a lay preacher.
Groper Savile spent many Christmases with Margaret Thatcher.
Punch sent a reporter to Grantham and found pensioners willing to recount tales about the child-abusing Alf Roberts.
Punch sent a reporter to Grantham and found pensioners willing to recount tales about the child-abusing Alf Roberts.
One said:
"He was forever pinching their bums when they bent over - and looking up their skirts."
In Grantham, Rotten Borough, by local journalist Oliver Anderson, published in 1937, a councillor who has a corner grocery shop has fun with his female assistants.
In Grantham, Rotten Borough, by local journalist Oliver Anderson, published in 1937, a councillor who has a corner grocery shop has fun with his female assistants.
At one point he is caught in flagrante "when a faulty light is switched on and passers-by see him, trousers down, through the shop window."
Thatcher's dad: mayor, preacher, groper - News - The Independent
Margaret, left, aged four, with her older sister Muriel in 1929. dailymail. Margaret was the ambitious one. Muriel married a Norfolk farmer and became Muriel Cullen.
Not For Turning: The Life Of Margaret Thatcher by Robin Harris is to be published by Bantam Press on April 25
Robin Harris was Margaret Thatcher's confidant and adviser for 30 years.
Robin Harris was Margaret Thatcher's confidant and adviser for 30 years.
According to Robin Harris:
"Once Margaret had the chance to leave, she rarely returned."
The mother Maggie pitied - and the sister she left behind ... - Daily Mail
THATCHER'S GAY FRIENDS
Margaret was her father Alf's favourite.
Margaret had little in common with her mother, Beatrice, who was called Beatie.
Beatie was kind.
Margaret pitied her.
Alf and Beatie always took separate holidays.
Muriel, Alfred Roberts, Beatrice Roberts, Margaret, in the late1930's
Alfred, whose origins were humble, was hard working and thrifty.
He saved enough money to buy a grocery store.
He saved enough money to buy a grocery store.
Margaret was born in the flat above the shop.
"Once Margaret had the chance to leave, she rarely returned."
Margaret was strong willed.
The mother Maggie pitied - and the sister she left behind ... - Daily Mail
Margaret grew up during the Depression of the 1930s, but she was born in a town that was relatively prosperous.
Alf Roberts served as a councillor for 25 years, including a term as mayor.
Margaret grew up during the Depression of the 1930s, but she was born in a town that was relatively prosperous.
Alf Roberts served as a councillor for 25 years, including a term as mayor.
Margaret Thatcher's children saw little of their grandparents.
Alf left Margaret nothing in his will.
Alf left Margaret nothing in his will.
THATCHER'S GAY FRIENDS
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