Rusbridger refuge
Sir: Alan Rusbridger (Letters, 31 October) sidesteps the disclosure in my book Trial by Conspiracy that much of the Guardian's evi- dence to the Downey inquiry was, in my view, false. Instead, he takes refuge in Sir Gordon Downey's findings and attacks my credibility. A better idea would be to accede to my five written requests for inter- views with him and his staff.
Mr Rusbridger relates highly defamatory comments about me, allegedly made by my former boss at Granada TV, Sue Wood- ward. These were first leaked by the Guardian to Private Eye and published a few weeks ago. Subsequently Miss Wood- ward issued a statement denying having made the comments Mr Rusbridger ascribes to her.
In similar vein Mr Rusbridger exaggerates a tax infraction from 1989-90 (no charges were brought) and claims that I lied to Guardian journalist Luke Harding when he questioned me about this on the telephone in March this year. I categorically deny the charge that I lied. No doubt the conversation was recorded and I challenge Mr Rusbridger to release a copy of the tape unedited.
Despite Luke Harding looking hard, it seems that this is all that the Guardian could dig up or concoct about me. Mr Rus- bridger will have to commit more of his crack squad of journalists (i.e. Fayed note- takers) to his investigation. From their behaviour at my book launch I think David Leigh and David Pallister would do a much better job.
Jonathan Boyd Hunt
50 Church Street, Great Budworth, Cheshire
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