Unacceptable lies

I am horrified to see in Mark Stephens' comment article his suggestion that 'without lies there is no society' (see [2001] Gazette, 16, 9 August).It is one thing for someone to colour their opinion to flatter or please another, but lies - mis-statements of fact - are utterly unacceptable.

Without truth there is no point in communication.Edward Pank, company secretary and global head of legal services, ICAP, London