MAYBE the time has come when we should remember a lesson from history. In 1924, the Daily Mail published a letter from the Russian Communist politician Zinoviev to the Labour Party. This caused such a Red scare that five days later the first Labour Government was defeated in a General Election.

After the election, it was proved that the letter was a forgery. Too late!

At this time when war with Iraq is opposed by the majority of people in this country and Tony Blair is so determined to go along with George Bush and take us into war, we must treat any so-called 'smoking guns' with with considerable scepticism, even if they are announced on the BBC as virtual fact, supported by 'experts.'

Let us not end up supporting a war against Iraq and then when thousands of ordinary Iraqis have been killed (and some of our 19-year-old soldiers) and the country devastated we find out 'evidence' had been manufactured.

Those of your readers who are opposed to the war or want to find out more might like to know that there will be 'Stop the War' stalls in Colne, Nelson and Brierfield town centre every Saturday lunchtime and there will be coaches going from Pendle, Burnley and Rawtenstall to the Stop the War demonstration in London on February 15. Phone 01282 614128 or 07950 486859 for details or to book a coach ticket.

ROY ST PIERRE, The Croft, Hollin Hall, Trawden, Colne.