Letter: Sad absence of compassion

Sir: May I just add my plea to that of Stephen Smith (Sports Letters, 17 June) for sensitivity in speaking or writing of the dead. Shock and sadness at the death of James Hunt should not have added to it any sense of injustice or outrage fuelled by hasty or ill-considered words. The defence that Keith Botsford's comments may have some foundation in truth is, in my view, no real substitute for the exercise of compassion, discretion and good judgement; things for which I hope the Independent continues to strive to be noted. An unfortunate slip on this occasion.

Yours faithfully,

DAVID MORRIS

London NW11

17 June