Flattered creep
Sir: It is not true, as your diarist Frank Johnson suggested (29 November), that I am about to be sacked from Private Eye because I wrote the story at the centre of the recent Maxwell libel action. In fact, it is a 'bad lie', based on precisely the sort of gossip of which Johnson professes himself to disapprove vehemently.
The decision to fight rather than settle the Maxwell action was an editorial and corporate one. It was taken against the background of Maxwell's bullying attitude towards us and our view that the original libel was not as serious as Maxwell claimed — a view borne out, I believe, by the jury's relatively low award of £5,000 in com- pensatory damages. The £50,000 exem- plary damages were awarded presumably
LETTERS
because the jury accepted Maxwell's argu- ment that we had been reckless in repeat- ing the libel and had calculated that the gain in sales from so doing would outweigh any likely damages.
I am flattered to be called a 'creep' by the loathsome and ill-mannered Frank Johnson. The Eye has carried several references in the past to his legendary social vice of meanness, but my favourite Johnson story comes from our mutual friend (and revered Spectator contributor) Alan Watkins. Agreeing with my sugges- tion that there is too much side about Johnson, Alan observed that when asked what he wants in a round of drinks Johnson always insists on champagne — a vulgar and old-fashioned gesture of apology for his humble origins.
Christopher Silvester
Private Eye, 6 Carlisle Street, London W1
Editor's note: Mr Watkins agrees that his friend Mr Johnson often orders cham- pagne, as he does himself, but regards this a proof not of side, but of conviviality.
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