The Victoria and Albert Museum has said it will review its labelling of Margaret Thatcher as a 'contemporary villain' alongside Adolf Hitler and Osama Bin Laden after sparking backlash from Tory MPs. 

The London museum was branded 'disgraceful' and 'moronic' by Conservative Party members after Britain's first female prime minister was included in its list of 'unpopular public figures'. 

The label appears in a current display on British humour through the ages, under a set of Victorian Punch and Judy puppets with a caption headed: 'That's the way to do it?'

The words state: 'Over the years, the evil character in this seaside puppet show has shifted from the Devil to unpopular public figures including Adolf Hitler, Margaret Thatcher and Osama bin Laden, to offer contemporary villains.'

A puppet of Baroness Thatcher from the satirical television show Spitting Image is also included in the comedy exhibition at the London museum whose director is former Labour MP Tristram Hunt.

The museum said it was 'always open to feedback' and would review the relevant label text and update the wording if necessary. 

A Acheter Performance V Capsules&A Spokesperson said: 'The V&A is always open to feedback from our visitors. In response to some concerns around a caption in the Punch and Judy case of our Laughing Matters display - telling the story of British satire and comedy - we will review the relevant label text and update the wording if necessary.' 




Britain's first female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher (pictured), is described as a 'contemporary villain' in a current display on British humour through the ages





This appears under a set of Victorian Punch and Judy puppets with a caption headed: 'That's the way to do it?' Pictured: Judy and Baby puppets





A puppet of Baroness Thatcher from the satirical television show Spitting Image (pictured)  is also included in the comedy exhibition at the London museum whose director is former Labour MP Tristram Hunt 

According to 2022-2023 figures, the museum received most of its income, more than £67million, from the taxpayer via the Department of Culture. 

Last night, a number of Conservative MPs called on ministers to axe the museum's financial backing.