Letter: 'Revisionist' historian who lacks an impartial eye

Sir: Notwithstanding David Irving's ability to evaluate historical documents, the Sunday Times's decision to contract the examination of Goebbels's diaries to someone who believes that the Holocaust is a myth is regrettable.

The Anti-Semitism World Report 1992, released by the London- based Institute of Jewish Affairs last week, cites Holocaust 'revisionism' as a 'truly international' form of anti-Semitism. It is a central feature of neo-Nazi ideology and acts as common denominator of both anti-Jewish movements and individuals.

The anti-Semitic climate is worsening in many parts of the world and documented in the Report: in Eastern Europe, the revival of anti-Semitic movements; in Western Europe, fears of mass immigration have clearly benefited the extreme right, creating a climate that is bad for all minorities, including Jews.

To give David Irving, the leading exponent of the Holocaust 'revisionism', the task of authenticating the diaries of Joseph Goebbels confers on his views a legitimacy that cannot be defended and can only add to the widespread publicity he already enjoys.

Yours faithfully,

ANTONY LERMAN

Executive Director

Institute of Jewish Affairs

London, W1

3 July