Madam, - Your edition of October 9th reports that Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness are alleged to be "at loggerheads" over the appointment of a victims' commissioner. Perhaps, given the sensitivity of the subject, the First and Deputy First Minster might consider stepping back from the issue.
Although they may have an electoral mandate to make the appointment, their moral standing in the area of dealing with victims' issues will be strongly contested in our divided society. Some leading members of the DUP have argued that Northern Ireland is not ready for the devolution of policing and justice next spring.
There is even less consensus on the question of victims; so why not allow this decision to remain with the Northern Ireland Office, at least until the Eames-Bradley group have reported on how we might deal with the painful legacy of the Troubles? - Yours, etc,
Prof HENRY PATTERSON, School of Economics and Politics, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Co Antrim.