Public should be heard on royal burial

THE ruling that the exhumation licence to bury Richard III in Leicester is valid because there is no “public duty to consult” is outrageous (The Yorkshire Post, May 24).

An archaeologist fills out a form stating bones, from a dig he had to be persuaded to do, will go in St Martin’s. He declares Richard is not to be found as his body was dug up at the Reformation and thrown into the river. That this piece of paper is considered more important than an open and fair consultation, involving experts, on where Richard should lie is unbelievable.

Here is an historically unique event which no list of rules could ever envisage, common sense should have been used. I hope there are grounds to question the ruling which blatantly ignored the fact this case is unprecedented. There needs to be a public consultation.

From: B Duffy, Belmont Drive, Bradford.

THE discovery of the almost complete remains of King Richard III was totally without historical precedent. As such, there should have been an open and fair consultation process to decide on the historical merits of where Richard should lie.

In these circumstances, how can the judgement claim there ‘is no public duty to consult’? There was every reason to do so. Do we care so little for our heritage that we believe a science department from an East Midlands university has the right to decide where the remains of a crowned and anointed Monarch should lie?

Appalling, and I hope the Plantagenet Alliance goes on with its appeal to get a public consultation in this once-in-a-lifetime chance to put wrongs to right.

From: Jarvis Browning, South View, Main Street, Fadmoor, York.

I AM very disappointed with the courts, having given over to Leicester Church (Cathedral status was only given this last century, Leicester did not have a cathedral at the time of Richard III’s death). It is only right that he should be brought back to be buried in York Minster, in his home city.

Putin’s insults
are pathetic

From: Robert Reynolds, West Bank, Batley, West Yorkshire.

“YOU British are an insignificant little island nobody pays any attention to.”

These are the words of Russian President Vladimir Putin. As usual, we Brits just shrugged our shoulders and added yet another name in the pages of history of people who hate our guts. Then we went about our daily business.

Prince Charles is not the first to compare Putin to Hitler.

However, I have just one question to put to President Putin. If we British really are insignificant and nobody pays any attention to us, why have you broadcast your comments?

This ‘insignificant little island’ has seen bullying tyrants come and go, but we’re still here.

MP right on
punishment

From: Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon.

THE excellent article by Shipley Conservative MP Philip Davies (The Yorkshire Post, May 20) should be required reading for all future Justice Secretaries of whatever political persuasion.

Mr Davies espouses what so many people in this country have been crying out for years, with so many of us despairing that proper justice will ever be properly implemented.

Far too often sentences are handed down that are totally inadequate. These are then made even more so when one considers that nothing like the laid down sentence is ever served. This is a total nonsense, but those in power seem unwilling to make the changes that the majority appear to wish to see.

The farce of suspended sentences, open prisons, life sentences meaning nothing of the sort, early release – the list of unacceptable decisions appears endless. As for driving lessons for prisoners, sometimes taxpayer funded – well, you just couldn’t make it up!

Perhaps the only answer is for the next government to appoint Mr Davies as Justice Secretary, then just perhaps we will see somewhat more of the punishment fitting the crime. At the moment, most of the time, it certainly does not.

As part of this, we also need to move away from Europe having any say whatever in punishments that are handed down in this country.

Labour’s Tony Blair spouted on about being tough on crime, but then did the exact opposite.

Let’s hope that if the Conservatives can obtain an absolute majority in 2015 then they can indeed put some of Mr Davies’s suggestions into practice without having the restricting Lib Dem influence always in the background.

In the meantime here’s hoping that Mr Davies will continue to push his eminently sensible views on the justice system.

Firm failing to deliver

From: Mrs Margaret M Whitaker, Harswell, York.

IT made me cross to read the headline “Royal Mail beats delivery targets” (The Yorkshire Post, May 17)

I had just received a letter from a friend in North Ferriby written by him on April 27, franked in Sheffield on April 28 with a first class stamp.

It arrived on May 13 and had taken 16 days. My son said I could have walked there and back in that time!

The letter told me how ill my friend was, so I hope my reply arrived quicker. Where had my letter lain all that time? Had it been to the Moon?

On May 16, my son received a letter from a chum in Vancouver, Canada penned and posted on May 12. There is no reason for the Royal Mail to congratulate itself, nor should they rest on their laurels.