SIMON Sweeney correctly points out that the EU rules forbid the reintroduction of hanging (Letters, November 25) - one more reason to quit that cursed body.

Clearly he is no democrat as every poll reveals the will of the voters is abused on this matter by our politicians. So why is no referendum permitted? Obviously because our wet rulers would not get the result they would want.

The facts are simple as regards deterrence. The first year after abolition saw a massive increase of then capital murders of 126 per cent. The overall rate has more than quadrupled, and that with more victims of attacks surviving with better medical care.

The "mistake argument" is feeble. Released lifers kill at a rate of more than two dozen every year. Any sympathy for those mistakes?

Some will say "life should mean life". Well it doesn't, it was promised in 1964 and the do-gooders in power lied. It will never happen.

One final point, why should anybody be given the right to arbitrarily take Mr Sweeney's life or mine knowing that their own life is not under threat? That is the moral sickener - not the execution of justice.

L G Arnott,

Athelstan Road,

Sheffield.

Updated: 09:08 Tuesday, November 29, 2005