24 FEBRUARY 1996, Page 25

Distinctive style Sir: What on earth is David Starkey playing

at (Diary, 10 February)? He still insists on putting words into my mouth. Obviously, he considers the puerile remark he invented — likening all those who took part in a trib- ute to Michael Buerk to programmed dogs — to be very clever. So why pretend that I said it? The style is recognisably his own. He should take the credit for it.

Janet Daley

15 Capel Road, East Barnet, Herts