SHONA THOMAS (HAS, Aug 15) accuses Boris Johnson of “insulting and demonising a group of innocent women”.

Come again? Nothing Boris said remotely suggested he was “demonising” anyone.

His remarks were a perfectly valid criticism of a garment (the burka) that vast numbers of people, both in this country and abroad, find repugnant and unacceptable.

Ms Thomas also refers (I’m not sure why) to the various wars in which Britain has been involved.

Might I point out to her that two of them – the world wars of the last century – were fought in defence of human rights, including obviously, women’s rights.

The burka represents the absolute opposite of those things. It is a badge of servitude and inferiority.

It is utterly alien and hostile to our most basic values, customs, traditions, ideals, beliefs and way of life.

It should be banned forthwith.

Tony Kelly, Crook