AS a firm believer in freedom of speech, democracy and religious freedom, before anyone else complains of "intolerance" here they should take a look at the way Christians are being treated in Islamic countries such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to understand what "intolerance" really means.

Muslims have their rights but so do we. It seems to me that some religious and political leaders are propelling many voters into the arms of the BNP and UKIP.

It also seems that some blinkered Christians and Muslims love free speech but don't agree with many others having the same rights. Freedom of speech being suppressed with allegations of intolerance' and racism' - this cannot be fair.

BERT HARDWICK, Queensway, Waddington, Clitheroe.