An award-worthy show from Dr Spin

They say that actors and authors become so immersed in their roles or subjects that they adopt their persona. This was evident from the performance of Alastair Campbell on The Andrew Marr Programme Show on Sunday (your report, 8 February), where he appeared to promote his latest novel Maya, the tale of a Holywood superstar. I was left open-mouthed as Mr Campbell broke down under the gentle probing of the affable Marr.

In apparent distress, Mr Campbell said the constant questioning about the Iraq war intelligence and his "dodgy dossier" was just too much. "I've been through a lot of that inquiry … and Tony Blair, I think is a totally honourable man."

Mr Campbell seemed sincere. But what had transformed this man from the cold-eyed, confident, sneering spin-doctor who swatted away questions from the Chilcot inquiry team and told them he would "defend every single word" of his dossier into this trembling shell of a man who crumbled at the very mention of the D word?

It is almost as if he had taken on the fragility and world-weariness of the spoilt actress from his novel. Maya also broke down and proclaimed that she was "f***ed off! F***ed off with making films, f***ed off with fame, "f***ed off with you ..."

Perhaps we shouldn't take too much notice of fiction writers, but, sadly for the many dead British and Iraqis, some important people did believe the words of this spinner of yarns.

TOM MINOGUE

Victoria Terrace

Dunfermline, Fife

Just over a week ago we had Tony Blair presenting the performance of his life conning the Iraq investigation that he, and only he, knew it was right to invade Iraq and murder thousands of innocent citizens.

Then, this Sunday, we had the actor supreme, the most deserving of an Oscar, for his weepy- eyed performance on The Andrew Marr Show, the architect of all deceit throughout Labour's overlong realm, the one and only Alastair Campbell.

Will we get Labour MPs crying on their sleeves right up until the general election claiming "it was not my fault folks, I was misled, I promise to do better next time"?

TERRY DUNCAN

Greame Road

Bridlington, East Yorkshire

I understand that Alastair Campbell was far more convincing when he was paid to be the "agony aunt" for an under-the-counter porn magazine, responding to problems he himself had concocted under assumed names, than were his crocodile tears during The Andrew Marr Show.

BRIAN CHRISTLEY

Bryn Gwyn

Abergele, Conwy

In all the talk about the rights and wrongs of the invasion of Iraq, it does not seem to have registered that the present sabre-rattling in Iran would not be taking place if Saddam Hussein were still in power.

WILLIAM SCOTT

St Baldred's Road

North Berwick, East Lothian