25 JUNE 1965, Page 15

Life at the 'Queen

am afraid that Christopher Booker's swash- buckling account of life at 52 Fetter Lane (June 18) and particularly of Mr. Dennis Hackett's departure from the Queen was not entirely fair. Mr. Hackett had informed me of his desire to give up the editor- ship of the Queen in February 'with considerable regret' and had also asked if he could hand over inside the full period of his notice, which was six months. All I did at the editorial conference on May 31 was to relieve him of his full editorial responsi- bilities as he had requested in his letter of resignation,

The 'Queen,' 52 Fetter Lane. EC4

JOCELYN STEVE.NS