Letter: Call a truce in the sleaze war

Sir: Martin Bell's decision to stand at Tatton ("Martin Bell to take the flak in sleaze war against Hamilton", 7 April) is understandable but still flies in the face of the principle of natural justice that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

The best way forward would be for Mr Hamilton to agree to stand aside with both the Liberal Democrats and Labour, and let Martin Bell hold the seat in good faith pending the publication of the "sleaze" report. Then the seat could be contested by all parties fairly and squarely.

JONATHAN YOUENS

Sidcup,

Kent