23 MAY 1987, Page 23

Spare Sparg

Sir: I am writing to express my objection to a passage in Richard West's article 'Time To Free Mandela' (2 May).

Whatever the merits of his argument, I doubt that the sentence, 'Most of Mr Slovo's bombers are angry middle-class whites, like the wretched Marion Sparg, a grossly fat and unattractive journalist,' enchanced its credibility.

I must protest against such a personal attack. I have never even heard of Marion Sparg, but I find such descriptions thor- oughly distasteful and reprehensible.

Brian J. Dooley

5 Alma Road, London SW18