MY reasons for standing down as Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Richmond were clearly stated in The Northern Echo (Echo, March 16).

John Merry ignores these and instead suggests I did so because of the size of William Hague’s majority (HAS, March 17).

For Mr Merry to suggest that when I became the LibDem candidate in July last year I had no idea this was a safe Tory seat and only found out about it this month is so pathetic and stupid it could only be the product of a warped mind.

For Mr Merry to say that my political demise would be “the better for all of us” is profoundly anti-democratic and reveals the depth of his personal loathing of me. But he has the right to express his opinions, however vile they may be.

"I do not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”: Voltaire.

Chris Foote-Wood, Darlington.