Sir, - Adam Ingram (The Irish Times, August 5th) assures us that the RUC name will pass into history. How can he be sure? As it stands, the wording in Article 1, Part 1 of the present Police Bill is a mess, not only because of its contradictory terms in English language expression, but because it means that the title RUC can legally be used, so wide and obscure are the terms. This will be divisive. Unionists will continue to use the title RUC in everyday speech. Nationalists and Catholic leaders will lack the psychological power to encourage Catholics to join the new force.
One of the main philosophical themes in the Patten Report was "accountability". He stressed that it should lie with the Ombudsperson and the Police Board. Despite Mr Ingram's assurances of the strength of their powers, it is clear from the Police Bill that ultimate decisions in this regard will remain with the Secretary of State and the Chief Constable.
Why does Mr Ingram conclude that it is a political motive desiring to pursue old grievances that seeks retrospective investigation against the RUC? I have met hundreds of good relatives of victims of state violence. They seek a form of justice in the truth. They should be helped and not further wounded by such a dismissal of their sincerity. - Yours, etc.
Mgr Raymond Murray, Cookstown, Co Tyrone.