More than a year before Hume quit as SDLP leader, ‘shocked' British Ambassador found him incoherent
Political giant's declining health was set out in highly confidential diplomatic cable sent to London by Britain's ambassador in Dublin
More than a year before John Hume stepped down as SDLP leader, the British Ambassador to Dublin was 'shocked' to see how incapable he had become of political discussion, he said in a confidential cable.
Hume died in 2020 after a lengthy battle with dementia, which gradually undid what had been a first rate intellect, capable of debating with local rivals as well as presidents and prime ministers.
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