IREAD the letter 'Union condemns asylum policy' with extreme disquiet. Is Mr Playfer attempting to apportion blame for the unfortunate suicide of this asylum seeker?

Are we meant to feel some sort of collective guilt, which can only be assuaged if we now welcome, unquestioningly, any and all asylum seekers in this area?

If we takeextrapolate this theory to its logical conclusion, we must therefore allow all to stay in case they kill themselves. This is just nonsensical emotional blackmail of the worst kind.

How wonderful it must be to inhabit Mr Playfer's simplistic world where all asylum seekers are genuine, deserving and sincere human beings and all those have the temerity to question this assertion are intolerant bigots.

When is some sanity going to be injected into this complex, yet increasingly polarised debate?

I am a moderate and rational person, totally against violence in any form and am appalled by right-wing extremists. However, I am equally alarmed by the ludicrous rhetoric expounded by those self-styled moral arbiters, the Anti-Nazi League. I regard them as fanatics, their vitriolic condemnation of all dissenters deeply disturbing, and I suspect that they are just as guilty as the BNP in inciting unrest and hostility. ButResentment arises among even the most moderate population when they no longer feel in control of their own environment and that their hospitality is being abused. Therefore, I am sorry, I cannot, in all sincerity, give a warm welcome to all asylum seekers as Mr Playfer exhorts me to do.

This, however, does not mean I feel hatred towards them. I wish them no harm and condemn unreservedly any violence perpetrated against them.

However, I sincerely wish they had enough love for, and loyalty to their own countries to stay and try to improve the situation in their place of birth. I fear if this uncontrolled mass movement of people is not discouraged, it will lead to global instability and anarchy.

J PLUMMER (Mrs), Bold Street, Accrington.