As a mental health solicitor, I am disappointed that you appear to have been hoodwinked by government spin that the report of the joint scrutiny committee on the Mental Health Bill was 'not as damning as many critics would have liked' (see [2005] Gazette, 2 June, 22).

In fact, the committee stated that the Bill is 'fundamentally flawed' and too heavily focused on compulsion, and it came up with 107 recommendations, which if accepted would radically alter the Bill. The case for reform of the Mental Health Act is described as 'cogent but is by no means overwhelming', and on several occasions the committee commends the different approach taken in the Scottish Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.


I am wholeheartedly grateful for the work of the Law Society as part of the Mental Heath Alliance in their long campaign against this Draconian and stigmatising Bill.


Jon Clift, London