REGARDING J Lawler’s the letter (HAS, May 6) about historic abuse allegations against celebrities.

I do agree in some cases the allegations against celebrities is nothing more than a witch hunt.

We live in the age of compensation culture.

In the case of William Roach an allegation has come to light about something 46 years ago.

The person making the allegation is now 61. So why has it taken so long?

Mr Roach’s life is now blighted until the case goes to court.

I think it is time a law to be introduced, if an allegation isn’t brought up within 20 years, then hard luck the case gets quashed.

And if the accuser is not named nor should the accused.

John Brant, Darlington.

MANY celebrities gain affection and popularity because they are honest, not just in what they say, but their personality and demeanour presents a genuine person.

Status has always had the problem of the person having it and how they manage their profile.

Some carry this off admirably, but clearly Stuart Hall presented us two faces – the funny man fronting popular TV in the 1970s and in his later years the ageing but sharp-witted football reporter who raised many a smile with his off-the-wall whimsical reflections on matches which may have been as dull as dish water.

He gave the impression that much of what went on around him was something of a joke.

Taking people for granted and abusing position is something I fear will not be confined to Stuart Hall, as Operation Yewtree begins to unfold.

Furthermore, it will focus on organisations, such as the BBC, but not exclusively so.

It calls upon all of those people who committed acts of abuse and those who colluded to be brought to account.

Celebrities, like Hall were untouchable as far as claim or allegation was concerned.

I remember that period well. It was easy to point the finger at some strange or eccentric character who might have been perfectly innocent but there was nothing but admiration for anyone who was seen as a cut above the rest. It was a perfect guard.

Some will say that the victims who have come forward have been motivated by compensation in the financial sense, but if you are a victim who felt unable to come forward, because that was the culture then, being given that opportunity to release that pain and share that ordeal cannot be a bad thing.

After all, abuse, whether it is against children or adults is totally unacceptable, regardless of whenever it happened, whatever era and culture existed.

Abuse is abuse, surely?

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe.