SO Alastair Welsh family and in-laws all agree with Anne Marie Morris using the phase ‘n***** in the woodpile’ (HAS, July 18). Well I don’t and I’ll give you an example.

While attending a football meeting in the 1980’s representing West Auckland Juniors, an official came out with that exact phrase – I can name him but I won’t.

At the meeting, representing a team from Barnard Castle was a black youth and when the words were spoken all attention turned to him.

If there had been a hole the poor lad would have crawled into it.

After a deathly silence for a few seconds the meeting carried on. If it had happened today, I would have stood up and demanded his resignation and there is no lengths I wouldn’t have gone to get it.

In my opinion Tory Anne Marie Morris should not have been suspended but sacked instantly.

Terry Tucker, St. Helen Auckland