I NEVER proclaim to be always right, but before criticism I always carefully check the facts and evidence. Had Chris White (HAS, June 18) done so, I would be happy.

He – in what can only be described as pseudo-intellectual literary snobbery – accuses me of wrongly attributing a quotation about free speech to Voltaire.

I, too, am aware of the uncertainty of the quotation, which is why I began my previous letter (HAS, June 13) by saying that it was “subject to debate”. I advise Mr White to pay attention to detail if he is going to criticise others.

Colin T Mortimer, Pity Me, Durham.