Chapter 28Suitably refreshed after a good night’s rest Irene awoke early to the sound of the morning paper falling on the mat. As she had expected the paper contained the story of the failed appeal but the main focus had shifted to the allegations against the Merseyside police force. The editorial comment column was particularly vitriolic, singling out the defence team for the worst of the criticism with banner headlines proclaiming justice had been done, and it was a pity hanging had been abolished. This in turn was followed by an attack on the legal system which, through the legal aid system, not only allowed, but actually encouraged appeal cases such as Thompson’s which were almost certainly doomed to failure. It highlighted the cost to the taxpayer of yesterday’s case, pointing out it
