June 26.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Anne Heseltine at this time.

I agree with Sir Norman Fowler's comment: ''To issue a baseless

personal attack against a man within 48 hours of his suffering a heart

attack is offensive and disgraceful.''

Indeed, such callous behaviour was directed at my husband, Bill

Hodgson, the Conservative and Unionist PPC for Argyll and Bute, prior to

the last General Election. The callous offenders came, however, from the

Conservative Party.

Following his heart attack, and 72 hours before his by-pass operation,

pressure from a senior Conservative Party office-bearer induced such

high levels of stress that it was necessary for our GP to place Bill in

hospital for his own protection until he flew to Glasgow for his

operation. Our GP, who was appalled, remonstrated in the strongest

possible terms with Central Office, Edinburgh about the treatment.

The pressure continued following his by-pass operation (including the

announcement, via television, of his deselection ''due to his health'')

three days after major surgery and during his convalescence. There was

no consideration, no peace and quiet afforded to Bill Hodgson, who was

in no position to defend himself.

Questions should be asked about the behaviour of the Conservative

Party at this time. In particular, a question surrounds the

constitutional issue of a petition, signed by more than 200 Argyll and

Bute Conservative Association members, calling for an extraordinary

general meeting -- a constitutional request that was totally

disregarded. The disregard for constitutional matters, whether local or

national, is of great concern.

In conclusion, my wish for Anne Heseltine is that her husband is

afforded consideration, peace, and quiet in order that he may return to

good health.

Eelan Hodgson,

Eagle Park,

Low Askomil,

Campbeltown.