7 OCTOBER 1978, Page 15

Lord Longford

Sir: I am shocked by the brutality of Richard Ingrams's onslaught (23 September) on Lord Longford, and particularly on his work among prisoners. It is of course very irritating to the rest of us, in this cynical age, when a public man so openly tries to follow the Sermon on the Mount. Lord Longford may be an 'old fool', but at any rate he might be called a 'fool for Christ's sake'. By his 'arrogance' your reviewer presumably means his 'idealism'.

Estne arrogantis summa sectari bona? Os it the mark of an arrogant man to pursue supremely good things?') G. M. Lee 141 Hurst Grove, Bedford