THE ‘fix’ that has revived the County Durham Plan is a sad day for democracy and the rule of law, as it is now obvious that a pretence is being foisted on the public by Durham County Council and the Government.

Think of two boxing promoters and the inquiry into the plan as a boxing match to be stitched up in advance because there is big money riding on the outcome .

One of the boxers in this fake boxing match (called Harold) is honest. Harold has not realised that it is his role to act out an elaborate charade. He naively believes that he should box cleanly in accordance with the rules of his sport.

To the consternation of the boxing promoters on both sides, Harold delivers a knockout blow half way through the fight. That was not supposed to happen.

So one of the promoters cries foul. Harold, they claim, has got a horseshoe hidden in his glove.

Of course, Harold has not really got a horseshoe in his glove, and had he been allowed to plead his case before the Boxing Board of Control, he could have proved his innocence. To prevent this, his own side leap in and agree that he has indeed been cheating.

The match will now have to be fought again. But this time round, the replacement boxer for Harold will know full well that his role is to take a dive.

It would take someone with rare integrity to stand up to that kind of pressure.

Peter Hayes, Durham