David Hoiden
Sir: Mr Marnham (Notebook, 1 April) -takes issue with the Tonight item on the death of the Sunday Times journalist David Holden. He criticises us for the use of the 'snaps' (official Cairo police photographs) of the body. We used them as forensic evidence indicating that David Holden was at ease with or knew his murderer.
More seriously Mr Marnham allgges that: 'Apparently Tonight obtained Mrs Holden's permission ffor the use of the Cairo police photographs] by saying that the film was to be a'n obituary for her husband,
which it was not.' Mr Marnham has a right to object to the film's content as a matter of personal taste, but an equally obvious obligation to get his facts right. Mrs Holden knew exactly how the photos were to be used. She wrote to us after the programme saying: 'I do believe it was not only well done, but also very well worth doing. . .a tribute from you people as professionals to my David as one of another kind; and I thank you for it.'
Mrs Holden, apart from being an extremely courageous and gracious woman, is also an internationally known and respected journalist in her own right. Michael Townson,
Editor, Tonight,
BBC Television, Lime Grove Studios, London W12
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