What gives Paul Bigley the right to expect the Government to change foreign policy because his brother happened to be endangered? What gives Paul Bigley the right to demand the resignation of an opposition frontbencher because he holds an opinion that he doesn’t approve of? To widen this to everyday matters, why are there calls for government to ban smoking in pubs, doesn’t anyone take responsibility for their own life anymore?

I suppose it’s the natural urge to want to get some blame to stick to Tony Blair. He’s not called Teflon Tony for nothing… I agree that Ken was out there risking his life for financial reward - and therefore the architect of his own downfall - but I suppose my mind was linking the reason the lucrative opportunities are out there to Tony and George’s beautiful decision to flatten another country for peace.

Whatever you think about Iraq, it is clear that Kenneth Bigley was doing something that he knew was dangerous and the only people that bear the guilt of his death are the people who abducted and killed him.

My sympathies are entirely with Boris Johnson.

In the fuzzy images from Iraq, we saw a British man turn into a snivelling coward who tried to sell his country’s interests for his own life. I would probably have done the same in Bigley’s position, but I would not want it turned into a media circus and I would not want anyone to feel pity and sympathy for me. I would hope the media could suppress my shame at having to grovel for my life.

By posturing at Boris Johnson, Paul Bigley has simply highlighted himself as the brother of a snivelling coward who let down his own country in his indignity.

Shame on Paul Bigley. Boris Johnson had to tell the truth on his behalf.

Andrew Denny
Aylsham, Norfolk