Philip Johnston, The Telegraph’s assistant editor, was in Paris with Margaret Thatcher while a vote on Michael Heseltine’s challenge for the Conservative leadership took place. Just four votes shy of her needed majority, Thatcher vowed to fight on, but would resign before the end of the year.

“If the Conservative party can get rid of a prime minister who had won three general elections, was regarded as the world’s premier statesman, who played a leading role ending the Cold War… they can get rid of anybody.”

In this video, Philip takes us through the final days of the Thatcher era, and the events that culminated in the downfall of the Iron Lady.

The fourth episode in a video and podcast series, featuring the stories of Telegraph journalists who witnessed history.

Listen to I Witnessed History on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favourite podcast app.