Private Life

Published: March 14, 2008, 8:50 p.m.

b'

Clive James argues that \\u2018private life\\u2019 \\u2013 an institution once regarded as vital to civilization \\u2013 is now in danger of collapse. As amorous emails sent to a friend by an aide to the Mayor of London are published verbatim, he asks can it ever be right to help yourself to the private emails, phone calls or text messages of politicians, footballers\\u2026 or your next door neighbour?

'