In a climate in which teachers may feel unable to express their concerns about the impact of counter-radicalisation measures on the growth and development of young people, David Anderson’s intervention feels like a breath of fresh air (Watchdog says Prevent is alienating Muslims, 4 February). In imposing this new duty on schools, nurseries and social services, the government has paid scant regard to the “best interests of the child” principle of the UN children’s rights convention. Discussion on the effectiveness of the Prevent duty, of its proportionality and its unintended consequences, should be welcomed by all those concerned about security, and all those concerned about children.
Liz Fekete
Director, Institute of Race Relations
• There is a curious link between the writer Elizabeth Jane Howard, championed by Hilary Mantel (Review, 30 January), and Lawrence of Arabia (Report, 3 February). In her autobiography, Elizabeth Jane Howard says that her mother-in-law, Lady Kathleen Kennet (previously Scott), once let her have breakfast dressed in Lawrence’s Arabian headgear. Is the headgear included with the robes recently sold by the Scott family, and, if not, what became of it, I wonder?
Elizabeth Manning
Malvern, Worcestershire
• Can we call the plan to save Lawrence of Arabia’s belongings for the nation a cloak and dagger operation – or would Lucy Mangan object (Naff wordplay about Terry Wogan? I’m going in all puns blazing: 3 February)?
Stephen Davies
Sandbach, Cheshire
• I see that Lord Lucan’s son would be grateful if we all moved on (Report, 4 February). So it’s a shame he chose to reignite controversy by claiming his title instead of allowing it to lapse into well-deserved obscurity.
Margaret Farnworth
Liverpool
• How on earth did Jacob Rees-Mogg ever become an expert on thin gruel (Report, 4 February)?
Bob Hughes
Willoughby, Warwickshire
.png?w=600)
