To Penny Hawkins, Research Animals Dept

28.5.01

Dear Ms Hawkins

You claim in a letter to a reader of mine that my column in The Sunday People presented a misleading impression of the RSPCA's policy regarding animal research and testing. How so? The RSPCA does not oppose all animal experiments. The RSPCA told me this. I published this information because I think the public has a right to know.

I regard your letter as seriously defamatory. I am also puzzled by one or two of your statements.

You claim that the RSPCA is opposed to all experiments that cause animals pain, suffering or distress. Doesn't this mean that you must be opposed to all animal experiments?

And just how are you striving to give laboratory animals 'a life worth living'?

Please write and apologise immediately both to me and to everyone to whom you made the claim that I gave a misleading impression of the RSPCA's policy.

Incidentally, if you believe that my article presented a misleading impression of RSPCA policy why did you not complain to the PCC?

Yours sincerely

Professor Vernon Coleman MB ChB DSc