Speaking out
There is little doubt that Dr Andrew Wakefield (your report, 25 May) is a flawed character. He probably deserves criticism and even discrediting. However, the fervour of the attacks against him only serve to exacerbate the controversy and give us cause to question the motives of the powers that be.
My nephew is autistic, and his mother (a doctor) does not believe there is any link with MMR. My wife and I agonised for a long time before allowing our own son to be immunised.
Wakefield was very probably wrong – however he was right to ask the question. If there were risks, better we know them and deal with them rather than castigate someone for daring to be "off message" and rocking the boat.
GRAEME McKENZIE
Rothesay Terrace