As Clive Stafford Smith so vividly demonstrates (‘Secrets and lies’, 27 March), a closed material proceeding is the antithesis of justice. In the 18th century, Edmund Burke wrote ‘where mystery begins, justice ends’, and in the 20th century German lawyers were rightly condemned at Nuremberg for participation in a legal system that breached basic human rights.
The judges and advocates who take part in the kangaroo courts of secret hearings in England might fairly say that if they do not do so, the outcome for the victims of state illegalities would be even worse. One can only hope that they too have a deep sense of shame and apologise on all occasions for what they do. We should all lobby parliament to end such derelictions of the law.
Roger Sceats, Solicitor, Surbiton
