Sir, – While one can admire George Mitchell’s extraordinary role in the Northern Ireland peace process, it is disingenuous to characterise Queen’s University’s swift response as a “lynching” (“George Mitchell-Jeffrey Epstein links: why is former US senator’s name being removed at Queen’s?”, February 4th).
The Epstein files make clear that Mitchell maintained contact with a man convicted of child exploitation after 2008. Whether any wrongdoing occurred is not the point: the association alone is deeply toxic.
Institutions have a duty to signal clearly that such connections are unacceptable. Preserving a name or bust on campus sends a message far stronger than any statement of regret. The university’s actions prioritise the victims and the integrity of public spaces over the reputations of even the most celebrated figures.
In defending Mitchell, one risks conflating achievement with absolution. The measure of leadership includes judgment, not merely past deeds. In this case, prudence demands distance, not defence. – Yours, etc,
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ENDA CULLEN,
Tullysaran Road
Armagh.
Sir, – I feel Queen’s University may be premature in removing all references to George Mitchell from their campus. To the best of my knowledge there hasn’t been a hint of wrongdoing by him at this point in time.
George Mitchell served this country very well when we needed him in Northern Ireland. The very least he deserves is to receive fair play from us.
When did innocent until proven guilty get dropped from our judicial system? – Yours, etc,
ANNE CAREY,
Killarney,
Co Kerry.
