A CIVIL servant who spent 25 years at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) was the guest of honour at an MP’s event.

Margaret Aldred CBE was invited to the Basingstoke firm De la Rue by the town’s MP Maria Miller to be a speaker as part of her Inspiring Women series.

As well as working in the MOD, Margaret was director general and deputy head of the foreign and defence policy secretariat in the cabinet office.

Margaret was secretary to the Iraq enquiry chaired by Sir John Chilcott.

Mrs Miller said: “I was struck by her dedication stamina and resilience.

“It was interesting to listen to her advice on finding a support network at home and at work in order to ‘survive then thrive.’ Coping strategies and a sense of humour are key.”