Sir, - There has been considerable comment in the media in recent days about a member of our Bar who performed a supervisory role on behalf of the Independent Commission on Police Complaints (ICPC) in respect of the RUC investigation of complaints by Rosemary Nelson and Colin Duffy. This member is a respected barrister who, with other members of the profession, was encouraged to provide this type of community work, and a number of members are currently fulfilling such important public service roles. While not wishing to stifle legitimate public debate, we would ask commentators to bear in mind that attaching labels to individual lawyers in this jurisdiction may put those lawyers at risk. Despite the pressures imposed by the "the Troubles", barristers of all religious beliefs and political persuasions have worked together to provide an independent service to the whole community which has been effective as a bulwark against sectarianism.
Therefore we would be grateful if commentators would exercise care in the description of individual members of our profession. - Yours, etc., Brian F. Fee QC, Chairman, General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland,
Royal Courts of Justice, Belfast 1.