Common error

In the wake of proposed new security measures at airports, Keith Halley (Letters, 4 January) believes airlines will be "clogging the security machine" and there is a danger airport authorities will refuse to "apply common sense and operate a sensible security policy", the consequence of which "can only help the terrorists".

Common sense dictated that the Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was safe with her bodyguards, yet two of them shot her dead. Common sense dictated that the German war hero Count Claus Von Stauffenberg was safe to be within feet of Adolf Hitler, whom he almost succeeded in killing with a concealed bomb.

Applying common sense at airports is dangerous and will not beat the terrorist, whereas vigorous screening, good intelligence gathering and a non-subjective approach to our safety probably would.

MALCOLM W EWEN

Ferryhills Road

North Queensferry, Fife