TO isolate our parliamentary procedures from the public would represent a victory to the terrorists.

It is vital that political activities continue as normal as possible, despite the high level of the threat posed by international terrorism.

However, the flour bomb attack on the Prime Minister in the chamber of the House of Commons raises some grave concerns.

Britain prides itself on being at the forefront in the battle against terrorism. We are assured that we are constantly on a high level of security and that our intelligence services are the most sophisticated in the world.

And yet, by winning a charity auction, a man is able to get close enough to the Prime Minister to thrown a missile at him.

Such breaches in security and sheer incompetence are not acceptable. We hope they are not the result of complacency on the part of our security services.

Quakers on the brink

IT is difficult to remain optimistic about the prospects of Darlington Football Club.

After five months in administration, an appropriate solution to its financial crisis has yet to be agreed.

With the Football League demanding clarification on the club's future within a matter of days, time is running out for a deal to be struck.

There appears to be consensus on the importance of the Quakers to the town, the community and the local economy.

What is lacking is a proposal, satisfactory to creditors, to save the 121-year-old club from extinction.

No effort must be spared to reach an agreement within the next few days.