23 APRIL 1983, Page 19

Who's odd

Sir: I can explain why I am not in Who's Who. Many years ago I did indeed follow Richard Ingrams' advice (2 April) or rather anticipated it, and embarked on Who Real- ly Is Who. Tariq Ali was the political editor and wrote a marvellous piece on Wedgwood Benn as he was then called. It became quickly clear that if we were going to attach any importance to accuracy we would be into libel, according to Michael Rubinstein at a rate of £5,000 to £50,000 a page. About this time I met a sibling of the Newth family which owned Who's Who who told me that they too had libel problems (grieved, omitted wives, etc). He added that I could be sure of one thing, viz. that I would never be included in their publication.

However, in October Blond & Briggs are producing Who's Really Who edited by Richard Compton Miller. Sparky stuff with pix, based on column inches as one criterion for inclusion so that, for instance, Ken Livingstone is higher up than Margaret Thatcher.

I am not in that either.

Anthony Blond

36 Chester Row, London SW I