[BrianC]

Hi Nick

Yes, I'm aware of the controversy caused by David Irving's book 'The Destruction of Convoy PQ17' and the outcome of the court case, but surely that does not make him a disreputable historian - IMHO, just the opposite.

In this day and age, a good investigative journalist would surely follow the same procedures. The outcome would probably be the same, but the said journalist wouldn't/shouldn't be criticised for conducting a thorough investigation which, IMHO, Irving did. Maybe his conclusions were muddled and after all he lost the case, but ...........

David Irving's racial and right-wing views are something totally different but I was not referring to these later controversies. However, in a democracy, isn't he entitled to his own views?

I've probably put my foot in it once again, but.............

Cheers
Brian