SIR – I have always believed professional people in senior positions are generously paid for two main reasons. These are their skills, and the responsibility they carry, which they should always be accountable for.

I do, however, have sympathy for David Duckenfield, the police officer in charge of policing Hillsborough stadium on that fateful day in 1989.

It is very difficult for any of us to fully appreciate the level of responsibility which fell on his shoulders, and particularly having to analyse CCTV, radio and live information, with every passing minute being critical.

There often seems to be the assumption that had he not instructed the stadium gates to be opened, there would have been an almost incident-free afternoon.

In my opinion, it is unlikely this would have been the case. By telling hundreds, if not thousands of fans they are being refused access to the stadium, I believe that potentially, this could have induced other problems, most notably serious public disorder. The dilemma he faced was one very few in high public office will ever experience.

Lorne Campbell, Constance Street, Saltaire