LETTERS Howe, when and why?
Sir: Lord Howe complains loudly that the Scott inquiry was 'a double-barrelled inqui- sition' employing unjust procedures CA judge's long contest with reality', 27 January). What a shame that when he was my MP Geoffrey Howe raised not one peep of protest when I suffered an even worse inquisition at the hands of the two DTI inspectors appointed by his government in 1987 to report upon my acquisition of House of Fraser two years earlier. DTI Inspectors act as detective, inquisitor, judge and executioner. Those being investigated have no right to be represented when wit- nesses are heard, may not cross-examine them and have no right of appeal when the report is published, however damning its conclusions and even when no further action is required, as in my case.
When I went to the European Court of Human Rights in an attempt to overturn this obvious injustice, I was opposed by this Government and lost. Now, Lord Howe bleats that no one's reputation should be allowed to depend upon a tribunal like Scott; what he really means is no politi- cian's reputation. Those of us who by com- merce and industry create the nation's wealth and generate the taxes which keep Politicians in silk socks and smoked salmon are more deserving of protection from inquisitors whose judgments are calculated to damage businesses and put jobs at risk. In this discredited Government, a politician criticised by Scott has little to fear except a sharp exit to the House of Lords.
M. Al Fayed
Chairman, Harrods, Knightsbridge, London SW1
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