Lost for words
From Mr Andrew Wilson
Sir: Alexander Chancellor gave the correct version of the Auberon Waugh joke about Dominic Lawson (And another thing, 27 January). When he felt his strength failing, Waugh wrote a letter both to Charles Moore and to Dominic Lawson, editors respectively of the Daily and Sunday Telegraphs, resigning his columns. By this stage he was in poor shape and, a few days after the letters had been posted, he asked his wife, 'Have I sacked Dominic Lawson yet?' This was days before any 'last words' might have been spoken.
For a journalist to ask 'Have I sacked my editor?' is funny. To ask — Paul Johnson's version — 'Have they sacked X?' is simple tittle-tattle. I am sure that Bron's thoughts were elsewhere when he came towards the end, and I would not, as Paul Johnson did, presume to trespass on them. It is only fair to note, however, that after 20 years of writing for The Spectator Bron chose to leave this magazine when Dominic Lawson ceased to be its editor, and followed him to the Sunday Telegraph.
A.N. Wilson
London NW1
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