29 AUGUST 1998, Page 23

LETTERS Light at last

Sir: I am sorry that Chapman Pincher feels `blackguarded' at my suggestion that he searched the flower bowls at the Ecu de France for bugs pugs in the banquette', 22 August). As it was apparently the pepper- pot which was the source of suspicion, I naturally withdraw the unworthy innuendo.

I always respected Harry. To my mind, it was never his fault that he was embroiled in the fantasy world of spies and counter-spies created by politicians on both sides of the quondam Iron Curtain. Still, it is a consola- tion for him that at long last he can reveal that there was wholesale bugging at his favourite restaurant. He richly deserves whatever you and the Times, which has reprinted his article, paid him for providing a light at last on the murky world of espi- onage, even if it comes 50 years late.

Ronald Spark

19 The Rotyngs, Rottingdean, E. Sussex