Thirty years on
Sir: Paul Johnson should not be allowed to get away with his papist's jingo in last week's Spectator. That Catholics are still discriminated against is undoubtedly true, but his case was reduced to ashes by com- ments that were often absurd and some- times vitriolic.
A case in point is his attack on Leonard Woolf. Johnson claims that Kennedy's elec- tion helped him 'head off a determined attempt' to prevent him becoming editor of the New Statesman in 1964. He goes on, 'It was led by Leonard Woolf, Virginia's relict, who assured me there was "nothing person- al" in his opposition. He objected solely on the grounds of my religion.'
Leonard Woolf may have had many faults but lack of integrity or racial or reli- gious bias was not amongst them. It is inter- esting to quote from his letter (dated 18 June 1965) to John Campbell, chairman of the New Statesman board, on the subject of Johnson's possible appointment: 'I still face the greatest reluctance to appoint a Roman Catholic, a communist, or any other denominationalist who subjects his will and actions in principle absolutely to an organi- sation or party. But if and when the time comes to appoint Paul, as all the rest of the board are in favour of appointing him, I would not oppose it.'
Can you fault Woolf's judgment after reading last week's article?
Alasdair Loudon
14 Everest Road, Camberley, Surrey
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