IT has been reported that Lord Steel is of the view that he has been scapegoated concerning claims he failed to take action in relation to the reports on the child abuse activities of Cyril Smith ("Steel quits party after 'turning a blind eye' to Smith's sex crimes", The Herald, February 26).To a limited extent, Lord Steel has a case for so reacting because such abuse revelations had been widely known within the police, the national media and politicians for a considerable period and, as a result, what proved to be an effective shield was thrown up around Smith. There were many others who "turned a blind eye", as it were.

Lord Steel had become the leader of the Liberal Party in 1976 when Jeremy Thorpe was forced to resign over the allegations involving Norman Scott, which subsequently went to trial in 1979 when Thorpe was acquitted, to the surprise of many. Lord Steel, therefore, as leader had been faced with what became described as the Thorpe Affair. For the Liberals at the time to be faced with another serious reputational downside involving Smith may have been judged to be a scandal too far.

While it is correct that Lord Steel was not alone in doing nothing with regard to the reports on Smith's behaviour, I believe that the action which makes many people come down on balance against him is the fact that he was a key player in Smith being awarded a knighthood in 1988.

That highly questionable action would not only have helped Smith feel impregnable and beyond recrimination, but also would have insulted his victims and made them feel beyond help and justice.

Ian W Thomson, Lenzie.

Hygiene challenge

IN spite of all the advice about washing hands to prevent the spread of disease and covering you mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, particularly in the current coronavirus threat, I find it frustrating to see the number of people who either do not wash their hands or just rinse them quickly under a tap without using soap and do not cover up when coughing and sneezing. It is now time for all of us to start challenging these people about their unhygienic habits when we see it happening as they are threatening the health of all of us. We also need a public campaign of posters to reinforce this.

Paul Lewis, Edinburgh EH17.

AA praise

IN more than 30 years as a GP I learned two things about those seeking help for alcohol addiction in my area: the agency most likely to be of help was the local Alcoholics Anonymous, with no waiting list, generous with their time, non-judgmental, and "tough love" approach, and that sometimes the most unlikely and"rock-bottom" case could return to sobriety, as evidenced by William Allan, addictions therapist ("My child died, my business collapsed, my marriage was finished … if I hadn’t gone into rehab I wouldn’t be here today", The Herald, February 26).

R Russell Smith, Kilbirnie.

BB gloom

W RAYMOND Shaw (Letters, February 25) makes a spirited comment on behalf of the Boys Brigade movement. Sadly, there has been a steady decline not only of membership but of operative companies. Perhaps a dedicated drive to recruit and train leaders followed by a serious youth recruitment plan should be considered.

It does appear a fair section of youth has been let down by the current failure to attract BB membership.

Allan C Steele, Giffnock.

Where’s the fire?

THE RMT should have no fear over holding back further the commissioning of the new Calmac ferries with firefighting training ("Union bosses warn crews will need fire training", The Herald, February 25). Any firemen trained in the near future are likely to be retired by the time the ferries leave Ferguson's yard.

George Dale, Beith.

Drained resources

I HAVE just seen something I thought was extinct. I know this is hard to believe, but I saw a large vehicle clearing a roadside drain. If we can breed them this would prevent the flooding that is caused by blocked drains.

Clark Cross, Linlithgow.

Strained resources

ANOTHER definition of optimism (Letters, February 25 & 26): supporting the Scottish national football team.

Eric Santi, Thorntonhall.