Fathers4Justice publish correspondence between F4J founder Matt O’Connor and Steve Brine MP about the death of fathers’ rights protestor Haydn Burton.

From: “BRINE, Steve” <steve.brine.mp@parliament.uk>

Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2015 13:56:45 +0000

To: Matt O’Connor

Cc: Fathers 4 Justice Office

Subject: Re: Letter to Steve Brine from Fathers4Justice ref death of Haydn Burton

Hi Matt,

Thank you for your letter of 20th July. Sorry not to reply sooner, it’s been hugely busy in Westminster this week ahead of the House rising but am catching up on email today.

As you know, like all MPs I carry out casework for my constituents in total confidence and there is also likely to be an inquest in this case. It would not therefore be appropriate for me to comment further.

Hope you are well.

Regards,

Steve Brine MP

From: Matt O’Connor

Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2015 16:02:08 +0100

To: “BRINE, Steve”

Cc: Fathers 4 Justice Office

Subject: Re: Letter to Steve Brine from Fathers4Justice ref death of Haydn Burton

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your response.

Naturally I’m disappointed you haven’t answered our questions.

The overriding principle here is that this a legitimate matter of public interest and there needs to be full transparency about the events leading up to the death of Haydn Burton.

This is especially the case here, where so many concerns exist about political policing in Hampshire and the treatment of fathers’ rights protestors, who are often asking difficult and uncomfortable questions about a variety of concerns.

I would ask that you reconsider your decision not to comment further.

Hiding behind a dead constituents confidentiality is not only unhelpful, but obstructing our attempts to understand what happened in this tragic case.

Best

Matt

Original letter to Steve Brine MP sent 20th July 2015: