Burns in hell

The European council president triggered a tsunami of confected outrage from the usual suspects with his wry observation that a special place in hell should be prepared for “those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan of how to carry it out safely”.

Donald Tusk, the centreright liberal from Poland, had been one of Europe’s most successful prime ministers. His elevation to the presidency marked a coming of age for his native country after its 20th century nightmare and was warmly welcomed by the UK.

Robert Burns said, “O wad some Power the giftie gie us; To see oursels as ithers see us!” Well, one of our best European friends has enlightened us.

The Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt later tweeted: “I doubt Lucifer wants them – they would try to divide hell.”

(REV DR) JOHN CAMERON

Howard Place, St Andrews

I was not surprised at the “inappropriate remarks” of Donald Tusk. I suggest it might be good reason to get out of Europe as fast as possible!

We have a commission that does not feel the need to be elected; does not feel an obligation to have the books audited; feels free to “grow the business” without a mandate, as they pursue a United States of Europe with its own army; and feels free to condemn any opponents who threaten to upset their applecart to hell.

I want no part of this. My sorrow is for European friends who are under such a regime and must simply pay up for the untouchables’ dreams – or should that be nightmares? JAMES WATSON Randolph Crescent, Dunbar, East Lothian

Paul Lewis (Letters, 6 February) thinks the Irish should be grateful for the “contribution of £7 billion” Great Britain made to Ireland after the financial crisis.

According to The Irish Times (6 February), the UK lent Ireland £3.2bn (not £7bn), with £358 million in interest having been paid since 2011. Note, £3.2bn, not £7bn. Is Mr Lewis aware it is a loan? The Irish Times’ version of events is supported by the HM Treasury Report under section 2 of the Loans to Ireland Act 2010.

Instead of being so careless with facts, Brexiteers would have been better coming up with a practical strategy for leaving the EU as suggested, in admittedly not very diplomatic terms, by Donald Tusk.

By the way, I am convinced that both the EU and Eire are perfectly within their rights to look after their best interests.

JOHN MILNE Ardgowan Drive, Uddingston

In the increasingly strident debate over Brexit, I find it odd that a possible solution to the impasse hinges on one little remarked-on fact.

In the referendum, like Scotland and London, Northern Ireland voted to remain. That highlights the paradox that, while the Prime Minister is hell bent on honouring the outcome of the vote in England and Wales, the DUP is even more determined in failing to honour the will of Northern Ireland. It also suggests that the majority in Northern Ireland might favour a temporary “backstop”, for however long it’s required.

The arithmetic of Westminster, coupled with a PM disrespecting her own judgement, and an opposition leader ignoring the will of his party, has landed us all in what, day-on-day, already feels like a “special place in hell !”

KIT FRASER Belhaven High Street, Dunbar.

“Crazy” is a mild word, one trusts, to describe the alarm of the civil disturbances warned of by some media and elites should there be a no-deal Brexit.

However, Bill Jamieson’s reassuring article surely puts such terrors in realistic perspective (Perspective, 7 February) .

Ian Moir’s letter (same day), in devastatingly pointing to the financial costs of the decarbonising proposals for us by Friends of the Earth’s Dr Dixon, up to half-a-trillion pounds in all, omits only to give the proportions of the UK and Scotland’s contributions to global CO2 output.

These, in percentage terms, at respectively 1.3 and 0.13 per cent, make clear the impact of offsetting adverse climate changes, as according to Green dogma, a dividend amounting to negligibility! Should “a special place in hell” be reserved for those who spread such alarm and despondency without good reason?

(DR) CHARLES WARDROP Viewlands Road West, Perth