WERE Richard MacSween and Helen Christie also appalled when Burnley Council pulled the plug on Bernard Manning when he was due to perform at Burnley Mechanics last year?

The people of Burnley area had a right to see a comedian of his reputation also, did they not? Of course Bernard Manning means no harm with the contents of his jokes either, some are just phrases people use!

Jeremy Hardy not only said that BNP supporters should be shot, but also the people who voted for the BNP.

(Did the Communist leader 'Stalin' not prefer this style of execution?) 10,000-plus people voted for the BNP in Burnley - hence the six councillors in the Town Hall. This is an insult to these voters/supporters.

Let's put the shoe on the other foot. Had Nick Griffin, Chairman of the British National Party used this 'being shot' phrase about the Lib, Lab and Conservative voters/supporters he would have been duly arrested and marched to jail.

The BNP supports freedom of speech but does not support incitement to murder. Note that the BBC upheld the complaint and the council in Burnley has taken the right course of action. Well done.

CLAIRE WARING (address supplied).