LETTERS Against Paul
Sir: Your correspondent Paul Johnson, who may or may not be remembered as a for- mer editor of the New Statesman, launched a hysterical attack last week (And another thing, 24 February) upon the News of the World, another publication with which he once had a strong and lucrative connection.
Since those days, when he thundered in our support on the leader page, the nature of the News of the World has remained much the same. We have always drawn attention -to the misconduct of persons in positions of responsibility, such as his friend the priest, to whom he refers in his little piece of vitriol, and will continue to do so.
The nature of Mr Johnson, on the other hand, changes with the seasons. He now calls us 'probably the most evil institution in Britain'. Not long ago, at an awards cere- mony, he referred to us as the 'single biggest success story'. That success may, partly, be due to the fact that we have not recently invited the apoplectic contortionist hack to write for us.
This is the man who supported Labour and became a Tory, embraced Margaret Thatcher and flirts with Tony Blair, and now, understandably, seems utterly con- fused about his own political direction.
I am reliably informed that he is shortly to publish a prayer which begins: 'Almighty God, be at my side to assist me in my per- plexities. . . . ' Amen.
Philip D. Hall
News of the World, 1 Virginia Street, London El
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