Devil’s backbone Rod Liddle makes a strong case about the failure of the West to stand up to Putin (Comment, last week). I suspect a western leader of similar ruthlessness is needed. While no apologist for Richard Nixon, I recall the remark made by a Bronx cab driver when asked what he thought of the president’s character: “I don’t want no saint in there talking to Brezhnev.” Tom Stubbs, Surbiton
Decade of benefits Lord Coe is rightly proud of the legacy of the London 2012 Games (Magazine, last week). Our research suggests two thirds of UK adults still feel the benefits. Here at Spirit of 2012, we have focused funding on projects that use physical activity, culture and volunteering to improve wellbeing and social connection — because how events make people feel about themselves, their country and those around them is an equally important legacy. Jane Gibson, chairwoman, Spirit of 2012, London WC2
Don’t panic! Fuel prices started to rise after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24. The energy cap was lifted on April 1. And yet already we are in a “cost-of-living crisis” and a “summer of discontent”. I can remember the Winter of Discontent in the late 1970s — the result of a decade of turmoil. We’ve had, what — a couple of bad months? Tougher times are on their way, I’m sure of it, but things won’t be helped by the mass panic we’re seeing now. Pat Edwards, Brecon
Insurance quote Allow me to quote Aki Hussain, chief executive of the insurer Hiscox, whom you profiled last week (Business). Of the many SME clients who claimed on their business interruption cover as a result of the pandemic only to be refused payment, he said: “When I reflect on that, it’s pretty clear we were providing a product on one basis and customers were buying it on a different basis.” A case of caveat emptor, or the best definition I’ve come across of the word “con”? Bob Maddams, Bognor Regis
Douse renovation Your article “Red alert” (News Review, last week) underlines the fact that the recent devastating fires in London and elsewhere will become more common. As well as tackling global warming, should our brilliant scientists not be working on our methods of fighting fires? Squirting water at the flames seems to have a pathetically small impact. We have made little progress since London burnt to the ground in 1666. Neville Landau, London SW19
Till we meet again I have what I believe is a novel method of reducing the £500 million a year stolen by people who cheat the self-scanners in supermarkets (News, last week) — I am surprised the supermarkets haven’t thought of it themselves. Dispose of the self-scanning machines and install traditional manned tills instead. This would solve the problem overnight. Edward Moss, Bolton
Tech it away Supermarkets do not need more and more technology to make self-scanning frustration-free and thief-proof. They need people to serve customers. After all, it is not the machines that need jobs. Martin Peacock, Bourne, Lincolnshire
Whitewashed Villa Birmingham is the size of Manchester and Liverpool combined yet does not equal either in worldwide fame, the reason being football clubs (“Brum’s brilliant — we’d just rather not show off”, News Review, last week). Nobody outside the UK knows where Aston Villa are from, yet — and I hate to say it — they’re the fourth-most-successful team of all time. David Lucas, Polzeath, Cornwall
Alternative chat Last week’s Magazine cover and interview with Kellyanne Conway was a monumental misstep. Even though Josh Glancy points out the dishonesty of some of what she says, it is irresponsible to give such a platform to a proven liar and one of the chief enablers of a twice-impeached president who is now facing criminal investigations and civil suits. Jim Piddock, London SW6
Subs’ standard Did rogue advisers have to board an Oval Office peloton to “pedal stuff” to Donald Trump (Kellyanne Conway interview, Magazine, last week)? Michael Zehse, London SE15
Share option It is refreshing to see an article refer to the 51 per cent of owned houses that have two or more spare bedrooms (“How the mortgage-free majority squeezed out first-time buyers”, Money, last week). Building houses to meet genuine need will embody more carbon than is budgeted for all other economic sectors combined. Under-occupation must be addressed by subdividing existing stock, so that all the space and fabric being heated is occupied. This may not seem easy, but neither are many measures required to reach net zero. Daniel Scharf, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
The internet’s princess Simply type “Diana Bashir BBC” into Google and you will instantly get three million hits, including the full interview (India Knight, Comment, last week). What is the value of the BBC pledge’s never again to screen Martin Bashir’s Diana interview if it is instantly available elsewhere? Guila Holder, Tel Aviv, Israel
Wreath lecture I suspect that, despite his many faults, Boris Johnson is well aware that Julius Caesar was never emperor of Rome, as was claimed in “Is our most maverick PM really aiming for a sequel?” (News, last week). He was dictator — a magistrate given absolute power by the senate. The first emperor of Rome was Julius’s great-nephew Octavian. Chris Hawkins, Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham
Four shame I was moved by the story of Diane Foley visiting her son James’s murderer in Virginia (News Review, last week). But can you please stop referring to the four members of the Isis cell as “Beatles”? The Beatles’ songs are about love, peace and harmony, and to give the Isis members this nickname is a travesty. Larry Hurst, Northwood, London
No doubt You report, with regard to Tim Westwood’s alleged behaviour, “The BBC said, ‘We are taking this incredibly seriously’.” What’s the difference between “seriously” and “incredibly seriously”? Francis Bergin, Harpenden
Having a bad deity Reading the Rev Richard Hill’s letter (“Alpha is for amazing grace”, last week), I wondered if I had picked up the Church Times by mistake. About 10 per cent of the world’s population is undernourished — the vicar’s deity is clearly not doing a great job, and it’s surely time to tell him/her/whatever. As for that Jesus chap coming back, why would he want to do that when his deity dad has made such a mess of things? Lester May, London NW1
