NORMAN HUGHES from Seaham, one of the most working class and deprived towns in Britain, praises Old Etonian, Tory toff Boris Johnson who ridiculed women wearing Burkas (HAS, Aug 11).

Having visited Seaham on a number of occasions of late I can’t say that I have noticed too many Burkas, or for that many people from ethnic minorities at all.

I also remember when Seaham was a relatively thriving place with three large collieries, none of which were closed by a woman in a Burka.

In fact all three collieries were closed by rich, Tory white men whose social class and political outlook was very much akin to that of Boris Johnson.

Recently, I enjoyed a five day annual holiday in North Westminster, London which has the highest proportion of Arab residents anywhere in the UK.

Despite my efforts I never saw a single Burka and noticed only two women wearing Niqabs.

One was a lady on the bus and other was walking along the street holding hands with her husband, ie they were not doing anyone harm at all.

I would very much doubt that either of these women has ever closed a colliery, factory or hospital ward. They probably do not evade paying their lawful taxes, engage in dodgy bank practices or fiddle their parliamentary expenses.

John Gilmore, Bishop Auckland