IT seems that Lord Clarke is to hold a further meeting in Burnley to ascertain the cause of the riot. The last meeting only attracted 25 people. An open forum is not the place for people to speak openly -- such is the climate of fear over being accused of racism.

Proof of this is in the letters addressed to this newspaper where people requested that their names and addresses were not disclosed for fear of reprisals.

The scenes on TV of the rioting were viewed with disbelief. The police came under a murderous attack from petrol bombs, bricks and stones. These were life-threatening assaults on the police.

The population at large was aghast at these scenes of wanton violence and destruction and wanted no part of it.

This is not the time for the liberal left to accuse the British of being racist. This would be a gross impertinence against the tolerance and generosity of the British people.

If we are such a racist nation, why are these people not fleeing the country? Any report which does not lay the blame where it rightly belongs would be a diservice to our nation.

JOHN EDDLESTON, Brownhill Road, Blackburn.