Dear Mr Metcalfe,MAY I first say how sorry I was about the problems caused by the unwelcome visit of Mr Ervin; it does seem to illustrate how topsy-turvey your laws are, that a convicted hijacker is allowed to visit, while a respected historian is kept out!

2. The purpose of this letter is exploratory. I have, as you already know, no desire to embarrass your administration, and I will not make this letter or your reply public in any way.

3. My presence has been formally requested by Frederick Toben as a witness before the hearing of your Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, which is hearing a complaint against him. I am familiar with both Mr Toben and the work which he is doing, and I believe I can contribute fairly and impartially to justice being done in this affair.

4. I would like to honour Mr Toben’s request and appear as a witness. To do so, I must obtain a visitor’s visa. If granted this visa, I would stay only for as long as needed to appear as a witness, I would not engage in any other kind of activities whatever, and I would leave your country on the following day at the latest.

5. After discussion with your minister and colleagues, please inform me whether I should now apply for a visa in the normal way.

David Irving

To: Mr Andrew Metcalfe
Australian Minister of Immigration &c &c
– Benjamin Offices –
Chan St Belconnen
A.C.T. 2617
Australia

Confidential