I’M criticised by J Metcalfe (Punish protesters, Letters, March 18) for a comment on Muslim protests at the Anglian Regiment’s parade in Luton (The Wrong Target, The Press, March 12).

I said: “It is not surprising that some Muslims, and some people from Iraq or Afghanistan living in the UK, may feel very strongly about what they see as the harm being done to their countries.”

J Metcalfe believes the Luton protesters should be punished, and Muslims living in Britain should accept British values, which seems to mean abandoning all feelings about their roots. Bob Waite, on the same page, calls the protests treason, and tells Muslims who feel strongly to “clear off”.

Patrick Kelly, in his excellent reply (Diversity of views, Letters, March 20), points out that British values include the right to express opinions, even unpopular ones.

I will only add that the Metcalfe/Waite view is one they share with Saddam Hussein.

J Metcalfe and Bob Waite believe first or second generation immigrants can, and should, abandon all strong feelings about their origins and their fellow Muslims.

Bob Waite believes this although he admits the British Government may have been “misguided” in going into Iraq and Afghanistan. Does he realise what has occurred since then?

In Iraq hundreds of thousands have been killed. Six years on, everyday life for many is still worse than it was before the invasion. In Afghanistan last year more than 500 civilians died in NATO air strikes, which kill old and young alike. So Bob Waite should accept that babies will have died.

When I recall that British values have in the past permitted us to invade and govern these immigrants’ countries, I’m amazed not by their anger but by their tolerance.

True, the Luton protesters were a bit extreme, but in this they are simply the Muslim counterparts of J Metcalfe and Bob Waite.

John Heawood, member of York Against the War
Eastward Avenue, Fulford, York.