27 JANUARY 1996, Page 25

Greek meets Greek

Sir: I believe it was Michael Frayn who said journalists who use irony do so at their peril. Professor Jasper Griffin of Balliol (Letters, 18 January) is not a journalist, so was not thus forewarned. What is surprising is that Taki, a Spectator journalist familiar with English usage, did not latch on to the Professor's heavily signalled irony (the Greek Ambassador can be excused), whereupon he goes haywire (High life, 18 January). Mind, you rather naughtily allowed his piece to go into print in the same issue which contained Mr Griffin's explanatory letter. Were you trying to tell the Greek boy something?

J. K Sowerby

14 Wincanton Road, London SW18