16 NOVEMBER 1996, Page 36

A difficult son

Sir: I remember Suez (`Canal running through London', 9 November) because Paul Johnson's mother taught me history in 1956. She also talked about her 'difficult and Red son'. Mrs Johnson senior was a stickler for accuracy. Following the good example of his mother, perhaps Paul John- son could explain the worst attributes of heterosexuals? He describes Dag Ham- marskjold as `the worst kind of homosexual — one who sublimated his desires into self- loathing and a general contempt for ordi- nary people'. Is it possible that Mr Johnson is describing aspects of his own personality?

John Nickson

11B Randolph Crescent, London W9