Admiral William Crowe (Obituaries, November 29), a splendid American representative to the Court of St James's, also had a great sense of humour.
Early in his tour he was challenged by an elderly lady at the time Senator Mitchell was appointed to lead the Northern Ireland peace talks. "How would you like it, Mr Ambassador, if Britain were to tell America to give Texas back to the Mexicans?" His reply: "You don't understand Madam, I'm from Oklahoma; we've been trying to give Texas back to the Mexicans for 150 years. And they won't take it".
We need more men of the calibre of the Admiral in politics, men with a sense of humour.
