Trump disrespect

The UK’S perpetually outraged, intellectually challenged, Leftist “rent-a-mob” were largely silent when presidents Robert Mugabe, Nicolae Ceausecu, Joseph-désiré Mobutu, Muhammad Suharto and Bashar al-assad were received by the Queen – to say nothing of Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. Their histrionics were reserved for a democratically elected US president.

As Lord Macaulay wrote: “We know no spectacle so ridiculous as the British public in one of its periodical fits of morality.” The unintended consequence of such hypocrisy is to assure President Trump a second term.

(REV DR) JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews

President Trump must be delighted to have departed the sad, divided, introverted, rancorous and nasty little country which Scotland has become.

As far as the embarrassing protesters are concerned, the fact is that President Trump is the democratically elected representative of the UK’S (and that still includes Scotland) most important ally. As such, like Prime Minister Theresa May, he is deserving of respect, if not warmth of welcome.

Of course, respect is a fast declining quality in UK life in general and, sadly, it’s hard to see things changing anytime soon.

DAVID EDGAR Main Street, Symington

Whilst any head of government is entitled to protection during an official visit to the UK this should not extend to private visits, when they should cover such by themselves or have their own government pay it.

Donald Trump staying at his own golf course, playing golf and actively promoting his private assets hardly falls under official business. Indeed, it is a continuing abuse of position for which undoubtedly many Americans would like to see him made accountable.

Might I suggest that Parliament instructs that the full cost of policing in Scotland be billed to the US Embassy?

CLIVE CLIFFORD Providence Park, Southampton

Now that the Orange banners and flags have been folded away for another year; now that the boringly predictable anti-trump protesters have had their bellies filled with hate for at least the time being; now that the professional nationalists can put away their saltires and store the facepaint till they are summoned to appear for the next “spontaneous’’ grievance march; now that the LBGT parade has had their turn; now, perhaps, we can return the streets of our cities to some kind of normality for the 99 per cent of the population who did not take part in any of them and who, in general, could not care less.

ALEXANDER MCKAY New Cut Rigg, Edinburgh