Letter: Koestler assault

Saturday 27 February 1999 00:02 GMT

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Sir: So Frederic Raphael claims that Jill Craigie "may have been excited by the risks" of being with Arthur Koestler, who raped her - when Ms Craigie asserts quite the contrary.

Is Raphael now a spokesperson for raped women? His arrogance seems to know no bounds.

"The abuse of women was (if it is not still) a certificate of virility in many great men. If we are to dispraise famous men, who is to be spared?" The answer, Mr Raphael, is none.

Professor JUNE PURVIS

School of Social and Historical Studies

University of Portsmouth

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