21 SEPTEMBER 2002, Page 35

List 99 is for fraudsters

From Mr Roger Clague

Sir: You are right to point out the danger of placing trust in written records (Leading article, 14 September) but you have yourself become part of the problem you highlighted. List 99 is not, as you write, a roll of sex offenders, I know because I was on that list. Anyone who is given a prison sentence of 12

months or more, or has been convicted of fraud, is automatically on it. In 1990 I was given six months for putting false information on a mortgage form. The government guidelines on List 99 specifically say, 'It should be emphasised that not all of those on the list are perceived to be a danger to children.'

Roger Clague

rojclagueqhotmail.com