A chara, – It is unfortunate that in presenting his views on British Labour leaders, Brendan Bracken (November 30th) restates the myth about Michael Foot wearing a "donkey jacket". This misconception stems from one of the numerous attacks on Foot by the right-wing press in the UK, which accused him of wearing what they described as a "donkey jacket" at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day in November 1981.
For the record, as verified by Foot’s official biographer, Lord Morgan, the coat was not a donkey jacket, which would have leather shoulder patches, but was a “short, blue-green overcoat” bought for Foot by his wife, Jill, at considerable expense.
Michael Foot was, of course, too much of a gentleman to use in his defence the fact that the Queen Mother complimented him on his choice of a sensible coat for the conditions of the day.
For those interested, the garment itself can be found on display at the People’s History Museum, Manchester. – Is mise,
KEVIN P McCARTHY,
Killarney,
Co Kerry.