David Hart

David Hart was a founder of the Committee for a Free Britain and a covert operator during the Minser's strike of 1984/5, advising Margaret Thatcher and Iain MacGregor of the National Coal Board

The Spectator interviewed David Hart at length and much of what appears here has been gleaned from that interview. Hart was the son of 'Boy' Hart, the Jewish founder of Henry Ansbacher, the bankers. He was regarded as an outsider who would like to be an insider. He always wore an old Etonian tie, yet he hated Eton, where he was the most unruly boy, fighting almost nightly with Douglas Hogg. Jonathan Aitken, a senior boy in his house, often intervened to prevent Hart's expulsion. Hart left early anyway, and went into avant-garde films. His father soon tired of paying for Hart's extravagances, so David moved into property, and by 1972 had made a great deal of money. In 1974 he lost even more and was declared bankrupt. He was discharged in 1978 but apparently stayed rich, with a Rolls Royce, a 'permanent suite' at Claridges, and a large country house, Coldham Hall, in Suffolk.

Hart long realised that politicians, journalists and 'advisers' will accept invitations to a good meal, and through such practices Hart built up a vast network of acquaintances. He was, for instance, a friend of William Casey when he was head of the CIA. He also became acquainted with Margaret Thatcher, whom Hart said was quite different from most politicians, whom he treated with contempt. Many at 10 Downing Street made strenuous efforts to keep Hart away from Mrs.Thatcher. Hart merely resorted to telephoning her, saying that he was trying to relay to Mrs. Thatcher 'what people are thinking'. Hart's friends within the American administration got him to advocate to Mrs.Thatcher the Strategic Defence Initiative.

Along with PR man Tim Bell, David Hart became a personal political advisor to Ian MacGregor,(a friend of Hart's brother) Chairman of the National Coal Board, during the miner's strike of 1984/5. Bell and Hart provided the 'link' between the NCB and Downing Street. This led to strong complaints to the Prime Minister from Peter Walker, the Energy Secretary.

David Hart wrote a semi-autobiographical novel entitled "Close to the Edge" which was published in 1988.