I WISH to protest in the strongest possible terms about the inaccuracies and misinterpretations in the front page article headlined "Hospital patient on sex assault charge"(LET, August 7).

It states that Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans met staff at Calderstones to discuss security at the site. No meeting has taken place with Mr Evans, a fact which he told me he confirmed to your reporter at least three times.

Indeed, I had requested such a meeting during a short telephone conversation I had with Mr Evans four weeks ago. He said he would contact me again, but failed to do so.

If a meeting had taken place, I would have been able to explain the nature of this and any other incident.

I also take great exception to the innuendo in the final paragraph that I was unavailable to comment. I was telephoned late in the afternoon while I was in a meeting. I expected the courtesy of another call this morning but none was forthcoming, but I do appreciate your first edition deadline is very early in the morning.

The whole tenor of the article was that we have something to hide at Calderstones.

I would like to comment further on your coverage of the court case and its omissions but the law prohibits me from doing so as it has not yet run its course, although it would seem you are not averse to printing material that could prejudice a trial. I request that you print this letter in full so that the public is fully informed as to the situation and not fed half truths.

RUSS PEARCE, Chief Executive, Calderstones NHS Trust, Mitton Road, Whalley.

Footnote: We apologise for describing the discussions between Mr Evans and Mr Pearce as a "meeting." This was an unintentional error.

However, Mr Evans said he had in-depth discussions with Mr Pearce over the telephone during which he was given assurances about security measures at Calderstones.

Our reporter did not contact Mr Pearce just the once when writing his article. He telephoned him three times on Monday afternoon, each time detailing to Mr Pearce's secretary the nature of the call. Twice, he was put on hold as Mr Pearce was on the other line and was assured his messages to return the call would be passed on -- Editor.