26 MAY 1984, Page 19

Serious joke

12 .Mr Waugh's allegation (Another voice, IS May) that Merseysiders smell is puzzling. he serious? But surely he must realise that smelly bodies are no commoner here than in (say) Somerset? Is he joking? if so, the joke's too full of hatred to be very funny, and the question then arises, why the hatred? Is he trying to alienate the Spectator's few remaining Merseyside _readers? But why on earth should he want to do this? 1 feel Mr Waugh owes us an answer.

John Owen o

° Ai8burth Drive,