Sir, Why not make reference to the EU in a British oath of allegiance (report, September 2)? Britain is a member state of the EU and, as such, British nationals have important rights as European citizens. There is no need for this to supersede an oath to the Queen. A simple reference to EU citizenship need not be controversial.

The spirit of the legally non-binding Charter of Fundamental Rights is largely a good one. Its values do not contradict those of this country and would serve as a good guide for those who wish to become British nationals. Britain is not alone in having to face the issue of integration and not immune from the consequences if it fails in other countries.

DAVID STEPHEN
info@euromove.org.uk

From Mr Leolin Price, QC

Sir, Busybodies in Brussels should be told that our people, and everyone who chooses to join us, owe allegiance to the Queen; that there is no nation called Europe to which allegiance can be pledged; and that “allegiance” to EU laws and the European Charter of Fundamental Rights is simply silly. Why has expensive time, and our money, been wasted on such comical nonsense?

LEOLIN PRICE
Lincoln’s Inn, London

From Mr John Grint

Sir, The proposal for an oath of allegiance marks the first time the EU has sought to impose any duties directly upon European citizenry, some 13 years after the Maastricht treaty first declared that:

Citizens of the Union shall enjoy the rights conferred by this Treaty and shall be subject to the duties imposed thereby.

At the time, the treaty contained no details of what these duties might be, but now we know: our first duty is to swear allegiance to the EU. What next?

JOHN GRINT
Sevenoaks, Kent

From Mr Friso Roscam Abbing

Sir, There are no European Commission proposals to replace the oath of allegiance to the Queen made by immigrants to Britain.

Presenting a package of measures on immigration, Franco Frattini, the EU Commissioner responsible for justice, freedom and security, said he was in favour of examining ways in which EU immigrants would demonstrate their commitment to abide by national and European law and fully respect the rights, freedoms and core values enjoyed by those living in the UK and the other 24 EU member states.

FRISO ROSCAM ABBING
(Spokesperson for Commissioner Frattini)
Brussels

From Mr Denis Ayers

Sir, Timothy Kirkhope, leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, states (report, September 2):

I swore an oath of allegiance to the Queen. I am not going to take kindly to an Italian gentleman telling me to swear allegiance to unelected people . . .

Are some people more unelected than others?

DENIS AYERS
Inverness

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