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CHOMELL STREET (SES HAP an NODAY 6 AGUST. YOU SEOULD KITER AT Oxford Mail. Sting — came as no surprise to the stunned when I began making inquiries about bed and breakfast facilities to claimants.

It said two senior policemen - one of them head of the Serious Crime Squad - had been to see the editor who agreed to withold publication of my investigations while their inquiries continued.

The effect was devastating. People who know me rang up in disbelief.

It was perhaps the least surprising outcome that Newsline should run a series of articles contidently denouncing me as a I once covered a royal visit to Oxford. Police calls are on the daily news diary. If the right combination of people are sick, on holiday or otherwise engaged I am sent to St. Aldates' police station clutching my note book, shown into the duty inspector's office and note down the day's catalogue of thefts, and other alleged crime.

Intake

Those who experience a sharp intake of breath at the thought of a socialist sitting in the same room residents groups and the like.

Plight

was in that context -of consistently drawing attention to the plight of the homeless - that I began work on a series of features in July.

It quickly became clear that one of the most important areas was the fate of single people in bed and breakfast establishments. A whole industry had sprung up which made a fortune out of homelessness.

RAS BEEN OPERLO AT PCP INE :3SVI OF OLIOCHRUES TO PRISONAL ISATE Sting — came as no surprise to the PETER ICINTYRE. under the heading 'Bitter reaction of Freed'. Ironically, it carried no byline.

Horror

But way up above it at the top of the page I was given the headlines in full measure. I bought the Oxford Mail on my way to the Claimants Union. | stopped in horror in the shop as I read about my supposed role in the Sting' The campaign against claimants which this had initiated is far more important than my discomfiture.