I WISH to retract the views I expressed on January 8 and apologise sincerely to my wife, daughters and family. My letter addressed the 2011 National Census and the matter of immigration.

I had promised my family that I would not write any more such letters to The Press and I thought that my letter would be acceptable and seen for what it was supposed to be.

I was trying to show the concerns and dangers in any Government allowing unrestricted large-scale immigration into their country, regardless of where the immigrants were coming from. I clearly failed miserably in my aim. I have disappointed and let down my family, who hold different views to me, and for this I say a big ‘sorry’.

Many other people read my letter as being disagreeable and for this again I apologise. I was not trying to single out any race, creed, religion, colour or nation. There needs to be another way of tackling the topic of immigration.

David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Holgate, York.