Running, not hiding

‘‘They can run but they can’t hide’’: the PM’S choice of Sonny Liston’s words to describe Labour MPS Mallard and Little avoiding Minister Collins’ attempts to have defamation documents served on them, betrays a lack of knowledge of the origins of the expression.

World heavyweight champion Liston discounted Cassius Clay’s wonderful ring speed with the comment that ‘‘he can run but he can’t hide’’. Clay (now Muhammed Ali) beat Liston in the first fight (Liston failed to come out for the seventh round). And then Clay knocked Liston out in the rematch.

A great quote slips easily off the tongue – just a pity for the Pmthat it was a loser’s quote. KERRY BURKE

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