No headpine

The public can and does forgive minor indiscretions where the intention was deemed good. However, the loser in this whole sorry episode is the overall trust in politicians and politics in general.

The week began with browbeating, cajoling, bullying and deals, with one report stating Labour whips were acting like Soho bouncers, with a narrow victory supplied not by them or the PM, but a chancellor who held the trump card until a time of his choosing.

The very next day Hutton exonerated those same politicians, and in reality rightly so, for he was acting on a narrow remit in which previous behaviour was not even considered.

The great British public has grown to laugh at every political statement, yet still holds dear the virtue of fair play. They look at the big picture and all the facts surrounding Hutton and Iraq. Their lack of military service allowed the Government to be triumphant in winning a battle, when the reality is; the nation and its armed forces are still at war. - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.

AS the dust starts to settle on the Hutton Report, with the many 'knee-jerk' responses from politicians, pundits and journalists, there are a number of questions that remain. There is a particular question about the role of the press and media in reporting and investigating sensitive issues, which nevertheless have a human or public interest.

There has to be a healthy balance between an individual's right to privacy and the right for the public to know and have information that is in their interest. These are two principles that are fundamental to a democracy.

Lord Hutton did subscribe to fairness and worked to the terms of reference, addressing the respective roles and responsibilities of Government, including the Prime Minister, the BBC and of course, Dr Kelly himself.

I feel that where he fell short within his remit was in advocating some guidelines, or seeking a review of existing guidance for journalists, not just within the BBC but right across the media.

The outcome of the Hutton Report must represent the opportunities for sensible reflection, together with measured and constructive review. - Bernie Walsh, Durham.

THE majority of the people of the United Kingdom have no faith in the conclusions of the Hutton Inquiry.

How then can the public have any faith in the conclusions of any future inquiries in which there exists even an alleged connection with a past or present government?

Two clear examples which spring to my mind are Lord Saville's inquiry into Bloody Sunday and the promised inquest into the death of Princess Diana. Both of these involve allegations of involvement with a past and present government. - CT Riley, Spennymoor.

LORD Hutton brings a magnifying glass to suspected faults in the BBC, whilst pronouncing himself satisfied (many times) with the propriety of actions by government and civil servants called before him.

Reaction to his report has featured many people who, after sitting through the entire hearing as spectators, claimed in subsequent media interviews that his findings simply did not follow from the evidence.

Perhaps a Law Lord naturally finds it easier to give a sympathetic and understanding ear to a cabinet minister or senior civil servant, rather than to a journalist.

As Chris Lloyd points out (Echo, Jan 29) a prime minister can expect acceptance of a genuine mistake, but it now seems doubtful that a broadcaster can hope for the same. - Bob Jarratt, Caldwell, Richmond.

AN INDEPENDENT BBC is our guarantee of freedom of speech. It is often said: "Everyone is entitled to their opinion". However, while the bloke in the pub is certainly entitled to mouth off about the state of the world, his opinions do not carry the same weight as someone who has made a careful, detailed study of his subject.

We expect our broadcasters and press to make such study, and thereby earn their places as opinion leaders. We have come to regard the BBC as the pinnacle of opinion formers.

Many within the BBC are now arguing passionately to preserve their independence, to be free to report the truth. But no one has suggested revoking the BBC's independence. What has been criticised is the integrity of a single broadcast.

The BBC reported, how accurately we will never know, a conversation with someone claimed to be a member of the intelligence service, said to be one of the authors of the "Iraq dossier". Dr. Kelly, though certainly distinguished in his field, was neither.

Incredibly, the BBC chose to defend its honour where there was so little to be defended. - Mike Burgin, Darlington.

PREDICTABLY, we are hearing sounds of anguish from the media on the publication of the Hutton Report. What we must now ask is how it is that Lord Hutton, hitherto praised by the same media for his Solomon-like wisdom, can be so reviled?

The answer is not too hard to find: Where vested interests have a primary concern with selling newsprint or air time, they resent as unwarranted interference any checks which are recommended.

In Hutton's case, the BBC has been rightly criticised for its inaccurate reporting and the subsequent and indefensible failure by senior staff to carry out checks.

The media at large, however, appears to have interpreted this as an attack on them all, and have chosen to shoot the messenger (Hutton), so to speak, rather than to address or revise their policy of airing views which are frequently inaccurate and mischievous.

Further, where these views are challenged, as Hutton has challenged the BBC, the media can be relied upon to cry collectively "Freedom of the Press", however, unfair or damaging these views may have been to individuals or institutions.

Increasingly, it seems that truthful and honest reporting is becoming a casualty of journalism and it is about time that large sections of the media started to report the news, rather than attempting to manufacture it. - Robert Hammal, Richmond.

ON Wednesday in the House of Commons the world witnessed the true face of a Conservative. The cynical smile of Michael Howard was replaced with an expression of sheer hate, malice and frustration as the full implications of the Hutton Report dawned.

The strategy he had adopted in recent months, that of attacking the honour and integrity of Tony Blair, was now in tatters. However, he ranted and raved and, in disputing the findings, he questioned the integrity of Lord Hutton himself.

Not content with this, like his two underlings the previous evening, he even had the audacity to suggest the leaked report to The Sun came from No 10. How low can they go? - Maurice Baker, Spennymoor.

I CAN think of only two things to be said about Tony Blair and the Hutton report: 1 Whitewash and; 2 Did anyone truly expect anything different? - Ken Orton, Ferryhill Station.

AFTER many weeks of waiting, Lord Hutton's comprehensive report brought good news for the Government. Tony Blair, in particular, will be pleased and this was shown in his statement to the Commons.

Some Labour backbenchers smiled with pleasure at their leader's impressive performance. Particularly pleasing was the clearing by Lord Hutton of Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon. Mr Hoon has been disgracefully attacked in the national press, but today he is in the clear. Those newspaper responsible owe him an apology.

By setting up the inquiry in the first place, and then co-operating fully in its deliberation, the Labour Government can be proud of its role in this matter. - LD Wilson, Guisborough.