SIR: Your correspondent Mr. T.T. Mellows (BEN: May 7) accuses me of "championing " gay and bisexual people. Indeed I am not! I am championing, or at least attempting to champion, principles which I believe should apply to everyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender preferences. Even to heterosexuals!

As to the tolerance of the Dutch, I incline to judge them on the sort of society they have created since World War Two, rather than any wartime atrocities they may have committed. For one thing, World War Two ended more than 50 years ago. But, more importantly, in conditions of war, all nations perpetrate atrocities - even the Brits. Remember the Hola Camp massacre? Even the Canadians - as a visit to the graveyard at Bodelwyddan church confirms. War is not an occupation for nice people.

Cllr Peter Johnston,

Kendal Road, Bolton.

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