Lack of respect

I tuned in to BBC’S Question Time programme last Thursday evening (26 October) regretfully not knowing that former MP Alex Salmond was appearing.

It was difficult not to notice his jacket lapel adorned by a badge of the saltire with a poppy in the middle. How narrowminded and parochial of him when the wearing of a poppy, as described by the British Legion, “is to commemorate the sacrifices of our armed forces and to show support to those still serving today”.

Can I remind Mr Salmond that the armed forces are those of the United Kingdom. Once again Mr Salmond, driven by his all-consuming desire for independence, cannot refrain from making that point even when wearing a poppy.

The sooner he retires into political obscurity, having been rejected by the voters in the last election, the better.

RICHARD ALLISON Braehead Loan, Edinburgh On the BBC Question Time programme Alex Salmond claimed that St Andrews University fails to recruit students from across the social spectrum (your report, 28 October).

A university spokesman responded to this accusation with: “We are glad to see that in the true style of a good St Andrews debater Mr Salmond was able to give the impression he actually knew what he was talking about, even if it was mostly blethers.”

Even Salmond’s thick skin must have shivered with anger at this response.

CLARK CROSS Springfield Road, Linlithgow