17 JUNE 1995, Page 36

Defining terms

Sir: Boris Johnson misunderstands the effect of a public interest immunity certifi- cate (Politics, 4 June). It is not a gagging order that frustrates justice.

The person, by signing, declares that a document belongs to a class of documents that usually is not disclosed.

Relevant papers go with the certificate to the judge who decides whether they contain information that should be given to the defence in the interest of justice.

I hope Sir Richard Scott knows more than Mr Johnson.

Peter Bottomley

House of Commons, London SW1