Seeing the funny side of history: Nelson Mandela stole my glasses

A scene straight from a Specsavers television ad, involving Nelson Mandela, was recalled yesterday by Gerard Collins from the period when he was minister for foreign affairs.

Ireland held the presidency of the EU at the time of Mr Mandela’s release from prison and Mr Collins was delegated to travel to South Africa as head of the council of EU foreign ministers to meet him.

Mr Collins recalled: “I was in London when I got word from Brussels that I was to go straight away to South Africa to meet Mr Mandela on behalf of the EU.