Letter: Turn it up - it's Mandelson!

Your report on Peter Mandelson misses the main issue ("How a clever spinner became the big story", 10 August). Analysis on the radio and television has been replaced by aggressive baiting and verbal jousting. Interviewers try one-sidedly to set the terms of the argument, adopt a sneering tone and take off from introductory matter made up of innuendo and distorted quotations.

Mandelson's "offence" is to be better informed than they and ready to ignore their interruptions. He exposes their irresponsibility and shows up their misuse of quotes. He insists on sticking to issues of substance. For the listener it is a delight and, what is more, informative.

David Martin

Woking, Surrey