Bad language

Until recently, I have enjoyed and looked forward to reading the well written, thoughtful articles of Susan Dalgety each Saturday. I was disappointed, however, by her latest article in which she refers to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson as an “immoral buffoon” and an “incompetent liar” (20 June).

While I acknowledge that Boris Johnson has his defects, I wonder if it is right and helpful for some of your article and letter writers to resort to personal abuse whenever they disagree with a policy.

I realise that the reason why Susan Dalgety’s writing has degenerated into hate-filled personal abuse is her disagreement with the changed policy of incorporating the Department of International Development within the Foreign Office and her concern about possible ramifications for aid to Malawi, about which she has written a book and many articles.

I tend to feel that foreign aid should be targeted where it is most needed and the spending of it should be closely scrutinised to try to prevent corruption. In the case of a considerable amount of taxpayers’ money being given by the Scottish government to Malawi, I have some concerns. First, international development is not devolved to Scotland. Second, it would seem inappropriate to give a considerable amount of aid abroad at a time when there is a shocking rise of child poverty in Scotland. Charity should begin at home! SALLY GORDON-WALKER

Caiystane Drive, Edinburgh