I ENJOYED Robert McNeil’s humorous canter through the life and times of Winston Churchill (“Leader of the free world and beyond”, The Herald, February 17). His reference to Churchill not being averse to ‘inhaling the odd vat of sherry’ reminded me of his famous jibe targeting the formidable socialist MP Bessie Braddock or the Conservative Lady Astor, depending on which version is referred to.

He was accused of being “disgustingly drunk”. By way of riposte he said: My dear, you are ugly, and what’s more, you are disgustingly ugly. But tomorrow I shall be sober and you will still be disgustingly ugly.” Obviously he was not one to take an insult lying down.

Ian W Thomson,

38 Kirkintilloch Road, Lenzie.