[Salient is grateful to Mr Locke for providing this original example of the work of the Trotskyist school of falsification of history. Unfortunately Mr Locke's piece borders on the trivial, but it Still shows the means by which the likes of Locke and the old Trot before him distort a story to paint themselves as martyrs.

First, let's sort out the facts. No photographs were ever 'solicited' from the socialist action photographer, Graeme Cookson. Use of the photographs was discussed between Cookson in his capacity as a worker at Fords, and the writer of our story. Actually, Locke's letter is the first time I had ever heard Cookson described as the Socialist Action photographer' — very convenient for you, Mr Locke.

Second falsification — "in June this year Steele became very upset..." In fact, my unease about Salient photos being sold to Socialist Action had been growing for some time, but I never got 'upset' about it, the only time I ever get upset at the Trots is when they tell lies.

Third, I did not "blame my subordinates". I said to Locke over the telephone that the arrangement for the photos was made without my knowledge by the writer of the Ford story and the Fora worker, Cookson. When Cookson asked, via the writer, to use our darkroom and facilities I acceded, as Cookson seemed keen to present the photos.

I do not recall describing the photos as Trotskyist' — certainly that would be a little absued, unless it was a conversational abbreviation for taken by a photographer from a Trotskyist newspaper'.

Finally, even if all Mr Locke's points about the 'soliciting' etc of the photos were accurate (which they are not) they still do not necessitate a reciprocal relationship. I decided to no longer allow Salient photographs to be used by Socialist Action because I regarded that paper as a distortion of reality which I wanted no part of, and Mr Locke's latest actions give me no cause to change my mind. — Ed.]