LETTER:Inspiration to achievement

From Mr Ken Rutherford

Sir: So, according to Mr S. James of Chaulden (Letters, 22 August), Alison Hargreaves was "lucky", "selfish" and died "on holiday" on K2 while neglecting her family responsibilities - behaviour to be expected of a Thatcher child.

To denigrate a life of magnificent sporting achievement with this crude political association is both callous and grossly ill-informed. Yes, Thatcherism cultivated selfishness and thoughtlessness for others but, please Mr James, take it out on Mrs Thatcher, not Alison Hargreaves.

With heartfelt sympathies for Ms Hargreaves' family,

Yours sincerely,

Ken Rutherford

Edinburgh

22 August