Letter: Debatable skills

Your report on Michael Portillo's reflections on the debating skills of Alex Salmond (16 May) was most interesting. Mr Portillo claims the First Minister does not debate, as such; rather he "certainly knows how to wound" opponents.

Any observer of First Minister's Questions over the past few years would go along with that view. Many, in fact, would add that there is without doubt an appalling lack of statesmanship and magnanimity in Alex Salmond's nature, at times verging on the sadistic, and that Mr Portillo was being far too kind in his assessment.

Alexander McKay

New Cut Rigg

Edinburgh