Prison is worse than hanging

SIR - Mike Priestley, in his Saturday column, advocates the return of the death penalty on the basis of the Ian Huntley case.

There is a saying in the legal profession that "hard cases make bad law." There are many cases of wrongful murder convictions, both before and after the abolition of the death penalty in 1965. Timothy Evans might have lived. Or the Birmingham Six might have died.

What I am saying, however, is that life imprisonment is a harsher, more humiliating and more remorse-inspiring punishment than death. If you are put to death, your troubles are over. How much worse to have to live with your crime for 30, 40, 50 years, or the rest of your life. How do you think Myra Hindley felt?

The death penalty has repeatedly been vetoed by Parliament with a large majority.

Keith Trobridge, Otley Road, Shipley.

Blair hypocrisy

SIR - For a mother to recognise that her son is an evil murderer and say he should be hanged is the ultimate most compelling evidence that the death penalty should be restored.

Does anyone dare to say that they are on some higher moral ground than Ian Huntley's mother and that she has got it wrong?

And can anyone make any sense of Tony Blair's hypocrisy in "strongly objecting" to the death penalty for Saddam Hussein?

For a long time, British and US special forces were desperately trying to carry out that penalty on the former Iraqi leader, with the Prime Minister's full support and authority.

Saddam just managed to escape several times but now he has been captured, it was unbelievable to hear Tony Blair's words. What has changed? He was the commander-in-chief then as now.

Gary Lorriman, North Walk, Long Lane, Bingley.

Growing trend

SIR - The appalling allegations about Ian Huntley's past, involving suspicions about criminal activities with young girls, reflects the seemingly growing trend towards such sex assaults.

Perhaps the easing of moral values since World War Two has been fundamental to the lack of moral discipline among many young people today.

I suggest that sensitive jobs, such as that of school caretaker, should be given only to more mature people and that, maybe, applications should only be considered from people over 50.

Kenneth E Higgins, Bempton Court, Great Horton.

Huge impact

SIR - I am somewhat surprised that our Bingley representatives on the Council have not expressed a view concerning the takeover of Safeway by Morrisons.

If it happens it will surely have an immense impact upon the future of the towns and could greatly influence its economic and environmental well-being.

I most sincerely hope that the councillors who represent our interests will take note that there is life outside the lauded precincts of Bradford and at least have some opinion on their own more parochial heritage.

Winston White, Staybrite Avenue, Cottingley.

Jesus the reason

SIR - There have been one or two letters regarding the forbidding of the display of any overtly Christian symbols in the Red Cross charity shops and the decision of one MP not to send Christmas cards bearing such symbols. This Christian symbolism was deemed to be not "politically correct."

In response, I quote the words spoken by Jesus, whose birth we are celebrating. He said: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 8 v32

For those who don't know or know but do not acknowledge the real reason for our celebration, it is summed up in the couplet:

"Jesus is the reason

For the season."

N Ward, Ashbourne Oval, Bradford.