Letters: Nicola Sturgeon in order

There was no defence of Abdul Rauf by Nicola Sturgeon, only a plea in mitigation, as requested by Rauf (your report, 12 February).

By The Newsroom

Published 15th Feb 2010, 20:20 BST

Updated 15th Feb 2010, 21:07 BST

There was never any suggestion he was not guilty. A solicitor in court will often give a plea in mitigation so that a guilty client will not receive too severe a sentence, only an appropriate one.

This whole matter is an excuse, and a flimsy one, by the Unionists to attack an innocent who does not belong to their clique.

ARCHY MACPHERSON

Trinity Crescent

Edinburgh

Unionists