What a wonderful welcome in Brighton for former South African president

Nelson Mandela when he arrived on stage at the Labour Party conference.

The world's favourite elder statesman was visibly overcome with emotion at the reception he received but recovered to make a strong and uncompromising speech.

Most people of any political persuasion, or of none, admire Mr Mandela for his long fight against apartheid, the fortitude he displayed during 27 years in prison and the immense dignity he showed on release.

He was never vindictive about his captors and, as president, enabled South Africa to become the first black African country which has retained some prosperity while also embracing full democracy.

Mr Mandela was with Labour as a thank you to a party which, through the long years of his imprisonment, was particularly vocal in calling for his freedom.

But his main message transcended party politics as he warned about the dangers of globalisation.

Although Brighton, and Sussex University in particular, has strong links with Nelson Mandela, it was an honour to welcome him there for the first, and probably the last, time.

The only sour note of the whole euphoric occasion was provided by Labour spin doctors, who had children from inner London on the stage as Mr Mandela arrived.

Brighton and Hove schools could easily have provided them, and should have done so.