Interned by Winston
From The Hon. Mr Jonathan Guinness Sir: Paul Johnson calls General Pinochet Britain's only political prisoner since the 18th century (Another voice, 13 November).
He forgets that Churchill locked up thou- sands without charge or trial during the war: not only members of the British Union of Fascists including the Mosleys, but others such as Captain Ramsay, MP, and Admiral Sir Barry Domvile. More recently, those locked up in Northern Ireland under the poli- cy of 'internment' were political prisoners too.
Pinochet, outrageous though his treatment has been, is a less pure example of political prisoner than these. His ordeal is the result of the misuse of legal processes rather than their complete and shameless omission.
Jonathan Guinness
Penhallow Farmhouse, Russ High Lanes, Truro, Cornwall
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