I HOPE that my recent letter (HAS, August 25) has provided some answers to Kev McStravick’s questions (HAS, August 23).

May I remind Mr McStravick that in the letter he was responding to (HAS, August 19), I said that Western meddling had “contributed” to the rise of Islamist militancy. To say something “contributed” is not to say it was the sole cause.

I also entirely reject Mr McStravick’s barrage of accusations against me the previous day (HAS, August 22).

I will say only that there is absolutely nothing “malicious” in my responses to his numerous letters.

Pete Winstanley, Durham