14 AUGUST 1999, Page 28

Breach of confidence

From Mr Alan Rusbridger Sir: I was surprised to read Stephen Glover's detailed, if inaccurate, account of Martin Walker's resignation from the Guardian (Media studies, 7 August). When he resigned from the paper, we all agreed that the events leading up to his resignation should remain confidential. This was largely on account of difficult personal matters. It is odd that `friends of Martin Walker' seem so keen selectively to brief journalists about things he himself told us he wished to remain private.

I have no wish to breach the agreement we reached beyond making two points. (1) No reliance should be placed on Mr Glover's version of events. (2) In our view, Mr Walk- er's conduct involved a major breach of trust. That was the issue that led to his resignation.

Alan Rusbridger

The Guardian, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1