I WRITE in response to the front page article on August 18 "Boy, 7, Held As Terror Suspect."
The article makes a point that the boy was only seven, and that he therefore could not be a terrorist at such a young age.
Reality dictates otherwise, and there is in fact a long tradition of child suicide bombers being used by militant Islamist organisations - for example Islamic Jihad and the Taliban.
With groups such as Al Qaeda continuously searching for new ways to evade our security measures, is it such a stretch of the imagination that they could attempt to use children in attacks on airports?
Certainly such a ploy would dupe many readers of this newspaper.
It is unfortunate that the family were stopped three times and for so long, which appears to be the real failure of the system.
However, I cannot see any basis in the argument being put forward, that children cannot be terrorists.
Furthermore, the idea put forward by the secretary of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, that security checks are somehow an affront to the Islamic Community and a hindrance to inter-faith relations is both unhelpful and completely ridiculous.
DAVID HARRIS (via email
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article