Letter: Give gypsies their say

Sir: According to your leading article ('Making the innocent into enemies of the state', 25 July), the Ramblers' Association and the National Trust are the organisations 'a prudent government' should listen to, implying that the Criminal Justice Bill is somehow right to persecute the other affected groups, such as ravers, travellers, squatters, gypsies and protesters.

As the issue of trespass is the same for all these groups, why have you chosen the Ramblers' Association and the National Trust as the worthiest representatives of those affected by the Bill? Surely you would advise 'a prudent government' to listen to the advice of a representative from Squatters' Action for Secure Homes (Squash) or the British Romany Association, since it is their way of life, their very existence, that is threatened.

Yours,

JACQUI DOWELL

Brighton