WHEN I was a young lad serving my time as an apprentice jockey, a wise old stableman said to me: "Son, there are three things in life, that you will never see a fat jockey, a bookie wearing bicycle clips and a dead donkey."

After 73 years I have seen none of these, but should I ever meet my old friend at that Royal Ascot in the sky, I shall tell him that I can add another to the list.

A politician that tells the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Ken Holmes,

Cliffe Common,

Cliffe, Selby.

Updated: 11:14 Tuesday, April 26, 2005