Letter: Bad analysis

IN THE interests of writing a newspaper profile of Tony Blair, Brett Kahr neglects the first rule of psychoanalysis: to attempt a true analysis of a person, one has to have met them first ("The strain behind that smile", 25 July). As a "senior lecturer in psychotherapy", he should know better. How can he make serious criticisms about another's personality on the slim evidence of a few anecdotes gleaned from a book, or the type of Christmas cards he sends? To then connect this in some way with the mentally handicapped and the use of manic defence in those who may have experienced quite awful neglect or discrimination is misguided.

DAVID MORGAN

Tavistock and Portman Clinics NHS Trust, London NW3