9 NOVEMBER 2002, Page 56

Nannies can deceive

From Mr Stanley Brodie, QC Sir: Norman Scott (Letters, 2 November) may have been an excellent nanny to Jeremy Scott's baby 35 years ago, but that does not necessarily mean that every statement he makes is truthful. The Old Bailey judge at the Thorpe trial found him to be a whiner, parasite, liar and crook; and the jury apparently did not accept his evidence. The assessment of the court after a searching trial would seem somewhat more persuasive than the opinion of a satisfied nanny employer of short duration.

About 40 years ago I employed a nanny (female) for my infant children; she was excellent in every way, and she lasted three and a half years. In the end she turned out to be a kleptomaniac.

Stanley Brodie

Temple, London EC4