27 FEBRUARY 1993, Page 22

Successful operation

Sir: Stephen Robinson (`The phoney in the White House', 20 February) tells us that the sanctioning .of the execution of the con- victed black cop-killer Rickey Ray Rector by Governor Clinton was 'an act of wicked- ness'.

If Rector, after a frontal lobotomy, was capable of recognising Clinton on the tele- vision three hours before his execution, and capable of deciding to vote for him, why does Robinson ask us to believe that the condemned man did not have the mental capacity to understand his punishment?

The widow of the white Arkansas police- man probably believes that the world is a better place without Rector. Had she read Robinson's piece, she might share my view that Clinton is not the only phoney in Washington.

Anthony J. Weaver

14 Duncan Street, London N1