IN reply to the letter by Dave Brothers (HAS, Jan 20), who wears his political allegiance on his sleeve, I would emphasise that my contributions to HAS are always those of a disinterested observer.

In the case of the National Bullying Helpline I wrote simply to report facts already in the public domain.

Whatever the extenuating circumstances, the charity committed a serious breach of confidence by entering a public political debate where the identity of a caller could easily be deduced.

The resignation of Mrs Pratt is helpful and I am only too pleased that the charity is to continue, but I would suggest that the helpline will need to rebuild the trust that callers have a right to expect, in what may be desperate and perhaps even dangerous circumstances.

VJ Connor, Bishop Auckland.