Non memorandum
Sir: In your issue of 3 August, page 18, Gavin Stamp claims 'all staff in English Heritage were recently issued with a mem- orandum instructing them . . . never to talk to journalists.'
No such memorandum exists. I challenge Mr Stamp to produce it. As a professional journalist, he has always had access to English Heritage staff. Not being civil ser- vants, both professionals and administra- tors are encouraged to talk to the press, and have been ever since the organisation came into existence. At present the English
LETTERS
Heritage press office is running a series of half day seminars, with the assistance of a respected and professional national news- paper journalist, to help them talk to the press directly, without having to go through the central press office on every occasion. Mr Stamp should know that this is untrue; if not, he is indulging in very naive and unprofessional reporting, taking unfounded rumour as fact and not bother- ing to check it out.
This untruth is wantonly damaging to English Heritage, and unless Mr Stamp can provide proof of his allegation — of an offi- cial instruction which the English Heritage press office has never seen or heard of then I feel an apology by either yourself or Mr Stamp, is in order.
Gavin Stamp has been a strong cam- paigner for the heritage over many years, and on many issues an ally of English Her- itage. Whatever criticisms of the organisa- tion he may have, he surely does not need to stoop to these unethical tactics.
Stephen Williams
Head of Press and Public Relations, English Heritage, Fortress House, 23 Savile Row, London W1
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