4 JULY 1981, Page 16

Dwarves defamed

Sir: I must take vigorous exception to Mr von Hoffman's revolting turn of phrase (20 June) when he dealt with the Israeli premier Mr Begin, to wit that the man was a 'homicidal dwarf'. This is an entirely unjustifiable, gratuitous, discriminatory and unacceptable slur upon dwarves who by and large do not blow up hotels, hang British army sergeants, massacre 200 Arabs at Deir Yassin, or bomb other people's power stations.

Nigel Ash British Board of Diminutives, Orde Hall Street, London WC1