Manhandling of 82-year-old protester at Labour conference is inexcusable

While one must always factor in the testosterone-fuelled function of security staff, euphemistically called "stewards", terrorists come in all shapes, sizes and ages. The schadenfreude of other parties is inexcusable, if predictable, and causes one to speculate on how the security staff at, say, an SNP or Tory Party conference would have dealt with a similar outburst.

In retrospect, the handling Mr Wolfgang's situation, while well out of proportion to the nature of the perceived threat, should be viewed as a lesson for our times and not a signal of a Big Brother-styled authoritarian state.

BRIAN ALLAN

Keith Street

Kincardine-on-Forth, Fife

I was disgusted by the lack of democratic tolerance shown at the Labour conference towards an 82-year-old man heckling the Foreign Minister, Jack Straw, during a debate on Iraq. Sending in heavies to manhandle him out of the chamber is verging on unforgivable.

The Labour Party apologising afterwards is simply not good enough. This should never have happened in the first place: that's the issue. This man came to this country to flee the Nazis. He undoubtedly recognises the difference between real threat and egotistical war-making in far flung places.

The police used anti-terrorism powers to restrain him when he tried to re-enter the conference. This is barely believable. Are we on the outset of a dangerous journey towards a police state. This single incident shows the damaging impact of Iraq on our society.

KESSACK SMITH

Murray Terrace

Aberdeen

The ejection of a pensioner from the Labour conference for simply questioning the statements of a minister, follows the arrest of a girl for wearing a T-shirt with an anti-Blair message.

The "state" is now taking responsibility for the care of children from 08.00 to 18.00, and also their diet. Any comment about sexuality or racial origin and we are likely to incur the wrath of the thought police. The introduction of more and more benefits and tax credits means a large increase in numbers dependent on state support.

There have been other administrations in the past who acted in a similar manner and they could hardly have been called democracies.

JOHN ATKINS

Grigorhill

Nairn

An 82-year-old man is ejected forcibly from the Labour conference for the crime of shouting "nonsense" at the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw.

Add this to the Labour Party trying to acquire "anti-terrorist" powers which would make it technically legal for all opposition politicians (or anyone else, for that matter) to be imprisoned indefinitely without trial, the introduction of ID cards, the murder in London of a Scotsman carrying a table leg and of a Brazilian peacefully sitting in an Underground train. And to top it all, we have a war criminal for a Prime Minister.

JIM BRYCE

Kings Meadow

Edinburgh