05/05/03

Extremists from left and right have long accused the BBC of political bias, which suggests that the BBC actually gets the balance about right.

For his coverage of the 1991 bombing of Baghdad, John Simpson was criticised by the Right for overplaying the destruction caused, thereby undermining morale at home and fuelling public disquiet about the war; and by the Left for glossing over the casualties in return for a CBE in the Gulf Honours List.

In his autobiography, he writes that even in wartime, broadcasters "are not a co-opted branch of the military; their function is not, and shouldn't be, to keep up morale at home, nor to spread deliberate propaganda abroad... If you are fighting a good cause against those who wish to suppress truth and honesty - whether they are Nazis or the Iraqi government - it is the worst thing possible to suppress truth and honesty yourself." - Pete Winstanley, Durham.

CELTIC RACE

WHAT yardstick does T Kelly use to determine what race constitutes "Celtic" (HAS, Apr 26)?

If he looks in an encyclopedia he would discover that the European Celts didn't invade Britain until 500BC, which makes them relative newcomers.

The Welsh, on the other hand, settled these islands as long ago as 2500BC, which, to all intents and purposes, makes them a pre-Celtic people.

Pagan Stonehenge was constructed in 2000BC. Therefore, the monument is Welsh-British, not Celtic-European.

The million pound question is: was King Arthur a Welshman or a Celt? To most, he is the brave Gaelic-speaking Christian hero; to only a few, he is part of a much older, non-Celtic tradition.

As the Welsh and Celts evidently fought each other tooth and nail (the archaeological record is clear on this), could King Arthur have been the nobleman who led the remnants of pagan British civilisation against a steady onslaught of foreign Celtic invaders?

Some theorists claim Arthur was incorporated into the Celtic pantheon by Gaelic historians wanting to cover up his achievements against their race.

The truth about Arthur is unknown and unknowable. But it is ironic that his name appears to come from the Celtic word art, meaning bear. Could Arthur, rather than being a real person, be merely a personification of Welsh ferocity in battle? - Aled Jones, Bridlington.

BENEFITS RULE

I AM glad that you are fighting the stupidity of the case in which former miner Michael Blackburn is losing a big part of his pension due to his wife Patricia serving her country (Echo, Apr 28).

Comments that if she had been a hairdresser going back to work she would have been treated the same, beggars belief.

She did not start the war but answered the call of her country and, instead of penalising her we should thank her. The Department for Work and Pensions spokesman wants to get a new book to read with flexible rules that can be adapted for extreme situations. - Martin Flanagan, Catterick Garrison.

COUNTRYSIDE

FARMERS in this region will no longer be able bury animals that die on their farms, instead being required by law to get them transported away for incineration or rendering.

The Government department responsible for implementing this change - Defra - has proposed a new scheme which requires farmers to pay a subscription for the future disposal of carcasses. Such a proposal has received a mixed reaction, due to location, cost, and the speed at which collection can be arranged.

We can but hope that Defra has more luck with this proposal than it usually does when it comes to helping farmers. On the published list of available outlets Defra has acknowledged that the UK network of hunt kennels is an important part of this process - ironic given that the very same department is contributing to a Hunting Bill that would put hunts out of business.

At present hunts process nearly 400,000 fallen animals a year, and at a fraction of the real cost. UK hunts intend to continue to offer this service - Government permitting - as it is recognised as being quick, cheap and, above, all humane. - Sam Butler, Co-Chairman, Council of Hunting Associations.

LOCAL ELECTIONS

I WONDER if Tony Blair will, after these election results, start to realise that the people don't want a Prime Minister who wants to run round the world boosting his own personality, but someone who can keep the election promises he made to achieve the governorship of the country.

We have seen the NHS promises being put to one side and back door privatisation now being put in place; vast amounts of money are being ploughed into the NHS, but most seems to be used to pay people to collect and tabulate information so league tables can created about things that mean very little to the majority of the people, who only want treatment when required.

Rail improvements have stagnated, with the number of trains available on a daily basis cut so that running times look to have improved, even when the same number of people daily travelling are having to pack onto fewer trains.

Overhaul of the House of Lords has now been allowed to slip off the list of promises because Mr Blair did not get his own way about who should sit there. The British people still have an elected house and a chosen house.

The only promise Mr Blair has kept is to increase the income of the people who sit in these governing houses and anyone else wanting an increase in income must conform to what he refers to as modern reforms. Roll on the next General Election. We may find politicians who will keep the promises they make. - Peter Dolan, Newton Aycliffe.