Margaret Thatcher’s reputation as handbag-wielding defender of Britain’s interests in Europe has been challenged by a former French diplomat, who claims that at the moment of her supposed greatest triumph she was a pitiful and tearful figure.

Jacques Attali, who had a ringside seat at the famous Fontainebleau summit 25 years ago, claims Mrs Thatcher broke down in tears as she tried to secure a British refund from its contributions to the European Union budget.