18 MAY 2002, Page 39

Rumbly, not curmudgeonly

From Mr Nicholas Bagnall Sir: I was sorry to see Stephen Glover (Media studies, 4 May) calling Peter Wilby 'the curmudgeonly editor of the New Statesman'. Readers who know Mr Glover but not Mr Wilby will have imagined curmudgeon calling to curmudgeon across primaeval swamps, like Bertie Wooster's aunts. Certainly, Mr Wilby's voice is rumbly and his views may clash with yours, but his nature, as most people who have worked for him will surely agree, is generally equable.

Nicholas Bagnall

Lewes, Sussex