No deterrent

Over the years, Andrew HN Gray has regularly written in support of the nuclear deterrent (Letters, 8 May).

In essence he supports the retention of a first-strike weapon costing more than £200 billion we can ill-afford, designed to annihilate civilian populations while political leaders and generals cower in bunkers.

It is Mr Gray who needs to get in touch with reality – if they are ever used, he wouldn’t be in the front row of a religious service, but standing on the front line of obliteration with the rest of us.

GILL TURNER Derby Street, Edinburgh