Journalistic jewel
From Patricia Barden Sir: I am sympathetic to Peter Oborne's complaint ('Of hacks and heroes', 10 March). Until his death was announced in the Daily Telegraph, with the reverent solemnity normally occasioned by the death of a monarch, I had never heard of Mr John Diamond. I had, of course, heard of his widow, Nigella Lawson, since her talent for self-promotion makes her hard to ignore, but that was my only point of reference. Otherwise, I remain mystified by the elevation of her unfortunate husband to posthumous celebrity. On the other hand, in the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Corrupted by nepotism, preoccupied with gossip and internecine feuds, infested by drunks, bores, cynics, windbags and shameless freeloaders, journalism is a dismal profession that is held in general contempt. By comparison with his fellows, an apparently decent, honest man like Mr Diamond begins to look almost saintly, even heroic.
Patricia Barden
London SW3
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