2 DECEMBER 1989, Page 33

Footing it

Sir: Paul Johnson's usage of 'shooting in the foot' for Neil Kinnock is surely right and Spencer Jones wrong in his derivation of the phrase from malingerers in World War I.

It comes from the mishap which befalls anyone who tries to be too fast on the draw. I once saw such a thing, when filming in a club for gun enthusiasts. Fortunately the man had only blanks, which made him look even more ridicu- lous.

Robert Kee

82 Camberwell Grove, London SE5