Letter: Unfair to Hamilton

Sir: Your leading article (7 November) is right to point out that Neil Hamilton, although perceived to be unpopular, is entitled to a fair trial. That, he manifestly has not had.

You have little to say, however, about the role of the press in the whole "sleaze" affair. An unrelenting campaign has been waged against Neil Hamilton and his wife, based upon the assumption that he was guilty of corruptly accepting payments from Mr Al Fayed.

Had there been a proper judicial process, Mr Hamilton and Mr Al Fayed would both have had to answer questions on oath and any witnesses could have been cross-examined. Even more important, prejudicial pre-trial publicity would not have been permitted.

MURIEL TURNER

(Baroness Turner of Camden)

London NW6