Thatcher: Front line no place for women

Women already serve in some front line units

Baroness Thatcher has said she believes women should not fight in front line army units.

The former prime minister suggested that even the few physically up to the job would damage fighting effectiveness.

Even in the age of the cyber-warrior and smart weaponry, war still favours the swift and the strong

Baroness Thatcher

The remarks have put her at odds with Tory leader William Hague, who has said he is happy to see women soldiers on the battlefield.

Last month, the former Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Charles Guthrie warned in his final public address before retirement against opening up front line combat roles to women soldiers.

Females in the line of fire

The Army is currently carrying out an assessment of the suitability of women for front line fighting, with the results due to be presented to ministers this spring.

The Baroness was presented with a medal

Women already serve on the front line with artillery units and defence chiefs are considering lifting the ban in tank and infantry regiments.

But Lady Thatcher said: "It is a great error to suppose that women can in general play precisely the same role as men in the front line of our armed forces.

"Even in the age of the cyber-warrior and smart weaponry, war still favours the swift and the strong."

Earlier this year Mr Hague told A-level students that the possibility of women on the battlefield should not be ruled out.

He said: "I think in general that women should be welcomed into the ranks of the armed forces and let's hope that that's going to be the attitude over the next few years."

That contradicted his shadow defence secretary Iain Duncan Smith, who dismissed the idea as "PC gone mad" and suggested it would undermine the professionalism of the armed forces.

Medal of honour

Lady Thatcher backed Mr Duncan Smith as Nato chief Lord Robertson presented a medal honouring her contribution to Britain's international security.

She also led a fresh assault on the European Rapid Reaction Force at Thursday's dinner in her honour at London's Royal United Services Institute.

"This is a matter, I know, which friends may differ on", she told the audience including Lord Robertson, a stout defender of the force who was presenting her with the institute's Chesney Gold Medal.

Prime Minister Tony Blair sought to ease American concerns about the force during his visit to Washington at the weekend.

Trans-Atlantic alliance

He says the force will work within Nato, increasing European contribution to the trans-Atlantic alliance.

Britain's relationship with the US "now hangs on that assurance", Lady Thatcher said.

I think in general that women should be welcomed into the ranks of the armed forces

William Hague

"If the Europeans truly wish to improve their Nato contribution they can show it simply enough," she said.

"They can increase defence expenditure. They can move swiftly to establish professional armed forces like those of the UK. And they can acquire more advanced technology.

"Indeed, unless that happens soon, the gulf between European and US capabilities will yawn so wide that it will not be possible to share the same battlefield."