THE role of the police should surely be fundamentally non-political (Rod Liddle, Slippery of the Yard, Comment, last week). Sir Ian Blair should save his vapid political comments for his memoirs.

His reaction to the de Menezes shooting was typical, get on television and start the media frenzy. If only he had been wearing explosives, Blair would have been the hero of the hour. In reality he should have resisted any comment until he was sure he had all the relevant facts and analysed them.

Keith Mackman
Dunmow, Essex

RANK DISMAY: While I previously felt a vague respect, coupled with broad indifference, for senior police officers, Blair manages to instill in me a visceral contempt for his political scheming and grandstanding. Well done to Liddle for raising the public’s awareness.

Noel Cooper
Brighton

SUSPECT ACTIONS: I haven’t seen a more appalling sight than that of the 82-year-old man being hustled out of the Labour conference. We have a long tradition of heckling in this country and it is a mark of the health of our political parties. Hitler, Mao, Pol Pot and Mugabe did not allow heckling. The role of the police is also very suspect. Why did they find it necessary to accuse an infirm man of terrorism?

Frederick Stevens
Altrincham, Cheshire

IN THE LINE OF FIRE? I think Liddle should follow his own advice to Kate Moss, following his vilification of Blair. It is he who should now not wear a puffa jacket and stay away from public transport.

John Griffiths
Pontypridd