23 MAY 1998, Page 28

Aitken and truth

Sir: Jonathan Aitken is accused of lying under oath in court — a serious matter. He is further accused of persuading his daugh- ter to do the same — more serious still. Not so, says Paul Johnson (And another thing, 16 May): it is precisely the involving of his daughter which not only makes it impera- tive that the case be dropped, but also makes Aitken's accusers the real criminals.

What ingenuity! Johnson has now bet- tered the classical explanation of chutzpah (Yiddish for brazen cheek): the man who kills his parents and then pleads for mercy because he is now an orphan. If Johnson were that man he would no doubt be demanding that his parents be posthumous- ly labelled the real wrongdoers.

Nina Tuckman 86 Harberton Road, London N19