Leeds - The former South African president, Mr Nelson Mandela (82), was yesterday made an honorary freeman of the city of Leeds, but mistakenly thanked the people of Liverpool. A 5,000-strong crowd turned out to catch a glimpse of the elder statesman during his first official visit to the north of England.
After rededicating a garden that bears his name, Mr Mandela said: "I have already thanked the people of Liverpool for the honour of being a citizen of this famous city. I have been taken to the garden which is named after me. Few people realise what that means to me."