London - Cardinal Basil Hume yesterday dismissed as "mischievous" controversial claims by the Tory MP Miss Ann Widdecombe that he was privately contemptuous of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey.
Miss Widdecombe was standing by her claims made in an unauthorised book on the cardinal. She is one of 24 contributors to Basil Hume: By His Friends.
Cardinal Hume said "the suggestion I have contempt for the Archbishop of Canterbury is not only untrue but mischievous". The cardinal has written a personal letter to Dr Carey rebutting the claims.
