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She's always been a trailblazer for women in politics and was one of only 10 female MPs when she first entered the House of Commons 34 years ago. 

But mother-of-three Harriet Harman Harman, 66, has admitted that she constantly struggled with the demands of bringing up her family with her political career. 

Busting the myth that women can have it all, she told The Sunday Times Magazine that she was 'haunted by maternal guilt' as she attempted to juggle both roles with little hands-on help from her husband Jack Dromey, also an MP. 

But she refused to admit that staying for sittings at the Commons until after 1 AM was too difficult because she didn't want to seem 'drippy and self serving'. 

Mother-of-three Harriet Harman Harman, 66, has admitted that she constantly struggled with the demands of bringing up her three children with her political career

The former deputy Labour leader recalled an incident where she realised that she was being judged for being a mother when she was accused by another Labour MP of smuggling her first baby through the division lobby under her coat. 

The mortified politician then had to explain to the serjeant at arms that she hadn't breached the rules. 

Her fellow MP thought the extra bulk was from her concealed baby, but in fact she was 'just fat from pregnancy'. 

Harman revealed that the incident made it hit home that she was being judged for being a mother and it made her even more determined not to be treated differently. 

Harriet Harman with her three children Joe, Amy and Harry in 1988. She admits that juggling her political career with motherhood was a constant battle 

She would have to stay for a 7 PM vote, and late sittings that went on past 1 AM but refused to admit to struggling because she didn't want to look 'drippy and self-serving'. 

The politician also revealed that while she was loathe to admit it, she was constantly exhausted when her three children Amy, Joe and Harry were young and never felt she was getting the balance right. 

She is now eager for her grandchildren to come along, so that she can make up for her 'deficiencies' as a mother. 

Harriet Harman arriving in Coventry with her baby daughter Amy in 1987

While admitting to being worried she was setting a negative example of failure to her children when she was sacked from Tony Blair's cabinet in 1998 she says they've never judged her or criticised her as a mother. 

The politician and author also made reference to the tough environment of the Commons this week in an interview for the Graham Norton Show. 

'There were two worlds for me – one was the women's movement, which was so vibrant, and we would come together, plan to change the world, drink a lot and have fun, and then there was parliament, which was not a lot of fun and very hard,' she said. 

The former Labour deputy leader admitted that she felt like she'd set an example of failure to her children when she was sacked from Tony Blair's cabinet 

'When you are much younger in politics it's like you're pretty, a bit flakey and not to be taken seriously, whereas a young man will be regarded as thrusting, with a lot of promise for the future and in his prime.

'When you have children women are considered write-offs, whereas men are regarded as having a family and reassuringly virile.

'And then, when they are older men are considered wise and attractive and women just past it! When is our prime? I am having my prime now!'

Earlier this week, Mrs Harman suggested the Prime Minister Theresa May should cancel Donald Trump's upcoming state visit 

She also urged the Prime Minister Theresa May 'to stand up for herself and our country' in reference to Mrs May's meeting with the new US President Donald Trump in Washington.

She added: 'That's why that handholding thing was so disastrous because it looked like he was leading her along.'

'There are all sorts of rumours as to why he did it but I think she should have had in her briefing, 'This man is a identified groper – stand well away!' 

And talking about Theresa May's meeting with Donald Trump in Washington, she added: 'She has got to look like a strong prime minister of a strong self-confident country and not look like she's begging for a trade deal on any terms.

'She needs to stand up for herself and our country.

'That's why that handholding thing was so disastrous because it looked like he was leading her along.

'There are all sorts of rumours as to why he did it but I think she should have had in her briefing, 'This man is a identified groper – stand well away!'

Asked if she thought there was anything Mrs May can do to counter the fallout from that meeting, she added: 'She could cancel the state visit.'