HOW I agree with Mr Burlington about “innocent before proved guilty”(Letters, January 19).

I don’t know how the Editor can be easy in his mind about the many innocent people whose reputatation has been ruined by the Echo.

I think of teachers who have finally been declared innocent yet who have been forced to leave their jobs in some cases never to return.

Can Mr Murray explain what he means by certain regimes. What is he afraid will happen if the Echo delays publication until and if a guilty verdict is reached I have written to our MP to get his opinion.

BRENDA KNOPF, Higfhfield, Southampton.

EDITOR’S NOTE: It is a basis of British law that justice is carried out “before the eyes of the world” and not behind closed doors.

The world cannot be in court, which is why the Press are granted special permission to be present.

An open justice system is the best safeguard against injustice for both the accused and any victims.