Roger Smith describes as 'myth and fiction' the media reporting of Dennis Nilsen's unsuccessful application for judicial review of the prison governor's decision to deny him access to pornography (see [2006] Gazette, 2 November, 20).

It is surely right to criticise lazy and incorrect reporting. However, I do not think it is surprising that public perception of the Human Rights Act is jaundiced when such an individual can even feel encouraged to make such an application by statute, particularly if public funding supported the albeit defeated claim.


Howard Culshaw, assistant solicitor, Borough Council of Pendle, Nelson, Lancashire