The BBC defended yesterday its decision to broadcast a short story penned by Hilary Mantel about the imaginary assassination of Margaret Thatcher.

The Assassination Of Margaret Thatcher is set to be serialised on BBC Radio 4’s popular Book at Bed Time slot from Monday January 5.

Ms Mantel’s story sparked outrage from the hated ex-PM’s Tory pals when it was first published earlier this year.

And Norman Tebbit, a senior cabinet member in Ms Thatcher’s governments, told a Sunday newspaper that “it is a sick book from a sick mind and it’s being promoted by a sick broadcasting corporation.”

But a BBC spokesman yesterday insisted the story is “of significant interest to the public.”

He said: “Book At Bedtime offers the best of modern and classic literature.”