When one of the MPs then contacted No10, Cabinet Secretary Sir Robin Butler immediately tried to alert them the calls were hoaxes. (Image: PA)However Sir Richard in particular was sufficiently duped by Bremner's impersonation he refused to accept he had not been speaking to Mr Major. According to the official note of their conversation, he told Sir Robin it was "a very good thing" Mr Major had called. "If John Major had made that call, he had done himself a good turn. German Chancellor Helmut Kohl was said to be particularly concerned at the prospect that Mr Major could be ousted.

Source: Daily Mirror December 30, 2020 00:02 UTC