THE decision by crisis-hit Westland to grasp the lifeline thrownby US firm Sikorksy sparked two Cabinet resignations - and almostcost Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher her job.
It came just two hours after a rival bid from a Europeanconsortium, put together by Defence Minister Michael Heseltine, hadbeen presented to the board.
Heseltine had spent the preceding fortnight frantically puttingtogether a Euro bid to offer Westland a way out of its financialproblems.
But the Cabinet was deeply split on the issue and the problems ofWestland became the talk of the country.
When Mrs Thatcher refused to even consider the European option,Heseltine resigned. Within days, the Westland Affair had reboundedviciously on Trade Secretary Leon Brittan and he resigned.
The Westland Affair indirectly played a key role in Mrs Thatcher'seventual downfall four years later.
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