Sir: I refer to Dr Veasey's letter (Psychiatric Bulletin, November 1999, 13, 690) asking who at the College was responsible for the College's comments on the Fallon Inquiry Report on Ashworth Hospital. I thought it appropriate to reply to Dr Veasey. I am now well briefed and informed about the controversy which gave him particular concern.

In this regard my information is that the College's response to the report on the Committee of Inquiry into the Personality Disorder Unit, Ashworth Special Hospital (chaired by Judge Fallon) was first drafted by my predecessor Dr Robert Kendell and then finalised, following extensive discussion at the Executive and Finance Committee and then subsequently at Council on the 3 February 1999. I am sure that the intent was not to act in an unjust and unfair way against any individual psychiatrist. Let us hope, however, that structures are now in place which will make this fraught situation less likely to occur in the future.