MADAM,

Astounding that such an educated man as Prof Richard Pates should spout such bile about one of our more sensible politicians (Disgust at political views, 14th December).

As I understand it, Monmouth MP David Davies merely expressed concern that unaccompanied refugee children of school age were being deprived of desperately needed aid by young adults big enough and strong enough to fight their way to the head of the queue. This of course is understandable when the difference between childhood and adulthood can mean the difference between the granting of asylum with all its associated benefits, detainment or deportation. Who needs our help most children or fit young adults better able to fend for themselves?

Professor Pates along with Clive Lindley and Peter Short who have also written similar letters misrepresenting David Davies demean themselves by seemingly trying to score a cheap political point. It could be argued that if the views of these gentlemen are allowed to prevail then they would be complicit in depriving those most in need of the aid they so desperately require.

Terry Haile

(Mitchel Troy)