I COMMENT with some trepidation on 'Letter of the Week' (LET, September 8).

I understand the reasons that prompted your correspondent's letter and had noted that your 'Opinion' column voiced similar thoughts a little prior to this, but I feel bound to point out that the "all of us are eager to point the finger" is rather a sweeping indictment, although I must admit that there are those of us who feel that the 'sensational press' is at fault. No seller, no buyer.

There are many who, like myself, do not, have not, and will not subscribe to this type of press and who deplore the hounding of the Princess by press photographers. I join with them in grieving for lives cut prematurely short, for the manner of their passing and the suffering of those left behind.

For all those of us who do not dabble in sensation, I feel I must reject the suggestion of guilt due to unhealthy reading and I should like to associate myself with the views of the unnamed writer of 'Grief private' (Letters, September 10) and similar comments on the Royal Family in the final paragraphs of Mrs K Livesey's letter that night.

LILLIAN PLEYDELL, Railway Street, Nelson.

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