Some mistake
Sir: Stephen Glover's memories of Bill Deedes's editorship of the Daily Telegraph differ diametrically from mine CA defeatist survivor', 29 May). To suggest that our leader conferences were cockpits of ideo- logical conflict totally misrepresents the nature of the Telegraph, which presented the news and then, in its leader columns, set it in context, rather than trying to force our varied views down the readers' throats.
Glover's treatment at Whittam-Smith's hands as Pompey in the triumvirate should have led him to appreciate Bill's more civilised behaviour. The term 'survivor' is disparaging, since among other things, unlike the Abbe Sieyes, Bill looked after his men. Like most of our generation, he is basically a stoic and guided by tentative- ness. During our lifetime, so many ideas which seemed pole stars have been discred- ited, and half-truths may be better than no truth at all. What I learned from Bill's lead- ership was the overriding value of gracious- ness in adversity and ascendancy alike. It has failed to rub off on to Stephen Glover. I hope that it may do so in due course, since he patently needs it.
Alfred Sherman
14 Malvern Court, Onslow Square, London SW7
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