Herald letter: England has nothing to learn from Scotland about tolerance and integration

BRIAN Farrell (Letters, November 16) paints a pretty picture of Scottish nationalism as exceptional to every other nationalism, in being some kind of benevolent and sanctified force. In contrast, he portrays England as xenophobic, intolerant and well on the way to fascism.

I would invite Mr Farrell to visit our UK capital city of London which is far more cosmopolitan and multicultural than any part of Scotland. The same applies to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leicester and every other major city in England.

England is far from perfect (because nowhere is) but has nothing to learn from Scotland about tolerance and integration. In fact, the lessons to be learned are mainly the other way round.

Peter A Russell, Glasgow G13.

Herald letter: Disposing Of The Evidence

YOU report the allegation that the First Minister has been reported to Scotland’s records watchdog for allegedly improperly disposing of her handwritten notes (“Sturgeon hits back at claim destruction of memos is ‘paranoia’”, the Herald, November 12).

If she is so keen to avoid public scrutiny, she might find the following useful.

My wife’s American uncle, who worked for the IRS, told us that it was believed that the Mafia kept their “confidential” accounts on rice paper documents, so that they could be disposed of by swallowing if necessary.

You’re welcome, Nicola.

Peter A Russell