Letter: Grave wording

Because Malcolm Webster, who killed his first wife Claire, owns her grave, it appears her family need to obtain his permission to change the wording on her headstone (your report, 3 June).

Clearly, this must be very upsetting for the victim's relatives and the thought of having to communicate with this callous murderer will be intolerable and out of the question.

If it can be shown that Webster, as seems likely, purchased the lair and headstone using money illegally obtained by making a false claim to a life insurance company, then I hope a resolution may be found in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 as it applies in Scotland.

If so, then his ownership of the lair would be confiscated under the terms of the act and transferred to the local council. I am sure the council, as lair owner, would be more than happy to grant the family's request to have the wording on the headstone changed.

Webster had words from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice inscribed on the headstone, which the family will wish to be removed. Perhaps the phrase, "The truth will come to light", from the same play, would be more appropriate.

Malcolm W Ewen

Ferryhills Road

North Queensferry