MARGARET THATCHER considered bringing disgraced minister Cecil Parkinson back into her cabinet two years before he returned but was told such a move could prove politically damaging, archive documents show.

The married trade and industry secretary, a firm favourite of the prime minister, was forced to stand down in 1983 after it was revealed that his former secretary Sara Keays was pregnant with his child.

He eventually returned to the cabinet in 1987 but newly released documents from the former prime minister’s private papers show she seriously considered his return in 1985.

A document from the chief whip’s office setting out the proposed new cabinet’s membership shows Norman Tebbit’s name crossed out as secretary of state for trade and industry and “Parkinson” written in by hand.

But the files also make clear that the party was divided in its attitude to the former minister.

Stephen Sherbourne, Thatcher’s political secretary, wrote: “His return to the Cabinet would be popular with men but unpopular with many women in the party.

“And the real fear is that there would be further revelations from Sarah (sic) Keays and this time they would rebound on you and not just him.

“I fear the reappointment of CP would be a high-risk strategy.”

Mr Parkinson was made a baron in 1992 and subsequently went on to chair the party in 1997-1998, under William Hague’s leadership.