Letter: `Bias' on the bench

Sir: Should judges with connections to Christian churches be disbarred from cases where the defendant is accused of doing evil? Should judges who believe fervently in the importance of morality be disbarred from cases where the defendant is accused of immoral behaviour? Lord Hoffmann's association with Amnesty should qualify rather than disqualify him from sitting in judgement on Pinochet.

When our country has just killed 25 Iraqi civilians (apparently) and terrified millions (certainly), Lord Hoffmann's stand for justice was like a light that gave hope. His colleagues have just snuffed it out.

Dr MICHAEL de PODESTA

Teddington, Middlesex