Letter: Pinochet's progress

Sir: There is something hideously Orwellian about a situation in which holding a murderous dictator accountable for his actions can be described as "shameful" and inviting him for tea is presented as an act of patriotism. It may come as some grain of comfort to Mr Skellern to reflect that the source of such perverted thinking has long since become a piece of irrelevant political jetsam more to be pitied than extradited.

In similar Orwellian vein is the suggestion that having a passionate belief in human rights somehow disqualifies a person from being a judge. In Pinochet's Chile, perhaps. I wonder what pounds 500-an-hour legal brain dreamt that one up.

JAMES HOLT

Storrington, West Sussex.