THANK you for your 'Opinion' (LET, December 11) regarding the "strippergram" incident at Lancashire Police HQ. I am related to one of the two constables who have retained their jobs.

I can assure you that the last 10 months of worry and heartache have been punishment enough for what took place that night.

I cannot understand how the Chief Constable can justify the sacking of DC Joseph Scanlan. It was a one-off incident and I am sure that the three constables will not repeat the performance. Why waste the experience and training of this officer?

I and many others have contributed to the expense of their suspension through our council tax.

Surely, enough money was spent on the investigation without throwing more money away. So, please, Chief Constable and Home Secretary, temper your judgment with a little mercy.

J CHARNOCK, Brownhill Drive, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.