16 SEPTEMBER 1995, Page 31

LETTERS Sex and the British

Sir: Your leading article (9 September) cas- tigates the News of the World over our cov- erage of the Charterhouse head's associa- tion with a prostitute.

Can I point out that this matter would probably never have come to light had the headmaster himself not put it in the public arena by resigning?

Weak-willed you call him, and he may be, but he was clearly of the view that his con- duct had made his position untenable.

To suggest that it is hypocritical and not in the interest of British people and British institutions for us, and 'our slavish imita- tors' amongst broadsheet and tabloid news- papers, to explain the reasons behind his decision is nonsense.

Philip Hall Editor, News of the World, Virginia Street, London El