Hoggartian Paradox
Sir: For a second time Simon Hoggart takes aim at The Blair Years , on which I was the principal interviewer. In his column of 8 December (Arts), he was cross about the fact......
In Defence Of Ms Gibbons
Sir: How contemptible of Rod Liddle to use his column for an ad hominem attack on Gillian Gibbons (‘The teddy-bear teacher was released too soon’, 8 December). It leaves a sour......
Give Me A Medal
Sir: I note with interest Barry Humphries’s BT experience (Christmas notebook, 15–29 December). Our telephones failed recently and customer services instructed me over the phone......
Welsh Stalin
Sir: I enjoyed Paul Johnson’s essay on the Ozymandian transience of dictators (And another thing, 1 December), but I must take issue with him on his description of Henry VIII as......
Top-shelf Spectator
Sir: I recently bought my copy of The Spectator in my local supermarket. After the checkout girl had scanned it in, she asked me if I was over 18. ‘Eh?’ I replied. It transpired......
Korngold Uncut
Sir: Michael Tanner wrote that Decca’s recording of Das Wunder der Heliane , released in 1993, was ‘heavily and mercifully cut’. As the producer of the CDs, I can assure you......
Demon In The Stable
Sir: It was a pleasure to read Martin Gayford’s excellent article on the Portinari altarpiece by Hugo van der Goes (Arts, 15–29 December), but I suspect the spirit of Christmas......
Millions Of Mohammeds
Sir: I agree with Charles Moore’s curiosity (The Spectator’s Notes, 15–29 December) over the varying attitudes to the use of Jesus as a name in Christian countries (particularly......
Mersey, Mersey Me
Sir: May I congratulate you on a superb Christmas issue? I particularly loved Beryl Bainbridge’s lament for the Liverpool of her youth. But when she says ‘My Liverpool has gone......