Letters: Gay? Who cares?

The open season on William Hague's private life, and the questioning of his sexuality (your report, 2 September) is in itself quite unsurprising, given the press picture of him and his special adviser strolling happily down the street - two young men sharing a joke, and dressed as contemporaries, Hague in baseball cap and "shades".

What is astonishing is how he felt the need to reveal so much intrusive information about his wife Ffion, including the sadness of possible infertility.

The point I think Mr Hague misses is that we are not a nation of homophobes, and each other's sexuality is of no concern to anyone outside individual relationships. Frankly, we don't care.

What does concern us all is how Mr Hague is judged by the world's powers as a credible foreign secretary.

Foreign secretaries must at all times have dignity and a statesmanlike prowess.

I can't imagine Mr Hague meeting Mr Putin, to discuss Chechnya or Russia's record of human rights by beginning with: "Hi Vlad, let's listen to some sounds and do a bit of rap."

Does this mean William has to lose his sense of humour? Of course not. He just needs to concentrate a bit harder.

Derek Marks

Brook Street

Broughty Ferry, Dundee

I CANNOT believe the prurient depths to which the media has sunk. Whenever did sharing a hotel room with someone of the same sex presuppose an inappropriate sexual relationship? If it wasn't for the effect on a bright young man's career, and the hurt to a married couple, it would be laughable.

Su Coyne

Arisaig

Inverness-shire