The protection of badgers has a long pedigree (Report, 29 August). Arthur Gore, known as “Boofy”, the eighth Earl of Arran, was a fanatical defender of them. He was also a tireless campaigner for the rights of homosexuals. In 1967 he managed to push through a law in the House of Lords that decriminalised homosexuality but failed to pass a bill to outlaw the cruel hunting of badgers. When asked why he had not received enough support for his badger bill, he replied: “Not many badgers in the House of Lords.”
Tony Lywood
Keswick, Cumbria
• Andy Beckett (G2, 27 August) puts forward several reasons why some tenants did not exercise their “right to buy”. There is another. Some, including my parents, had principles and believed in social housing. They said “why would you deprive future generations of a home?” They simply believed others should have the opportunity that they had.
Barry Norman
Bradford
• David Winnick MP implies that “one or two” recent letters sided with the present “murderous dictator of North Korea” (Letters, 29 August). I must have missed the Guardian that day. Can he remind us which particular letters he is referring to?
Mick Jope
Maidstone, Kent
• Emmanuel Todd is fascinated that people demonstrating for freedom of expression should try to shut him up (Report, 29 August). Seems he may have confused criticism with being shot in the head.
Peter McKenna
Liverpool
• How successful would the UK have been in the World Athletics Championships without the benefit of immigration?
Ed Southall
Dartington, Devon
