THE belated apology from the German company Chemie Grunenthal (CG) for the enduring pain and suffering caused by marketing the drug thalidomide 50 years ago, is welcome as far as it goes (Echo, Sept 3).

The story is well known. This product, sold as safe for pregnant mothers, was precisely the reverse.

This resulted in the births of thousands of deformed children.

But justice delayed is justice denied and the compensation offered to the affected families is far from adequate.

The bright side to this sorry saga was the role of the press at the time. In these days of phone hacking and multiple arrests of journalists it should be remembered that newspapers have a long and honourable tradition.

First, the tiny magazine Private Eye and then the heavyweight Sunday Times took up the cudgels and fought a noble battle against the mighty drugs company, exposing its corruption and lies.

And leading the crusade was the magnificent Harold Evans who, of course, had cut his journalistic teeth and learned the merits of integrity, courage and honesty in the media at The Northern Echo. One of many reasons for you to be proud.

Rob Meggs, Hartlepool .