THE 200th anniversary of the ending of British involvement in the slave trade, by British parliamentary edict, subsequent to the campaigning efforts led by William Wilberforce (an Englishman) should, as columnist Peter Mullen says (Echo, Mar 27), be celebrated at this time.

After the chest-beating and hair shirt-wearing, reported by the media, which has led the hysterical campaign for apology - by whom and to whom is a mystery - Mr Mullen appears like a beacon of reason.

We are not responsible for the evil perpetrated by our predecessors, and the descendants of the then enslaved should be celebrating what was done by the British to free their forebears, not looking for some sort of mystical compensation in this litigious culture overwhelming our country.

Perhaps we therefore should equate the millions of pounds that the British taxpayer has given over many years, and continues to give, in aid to the African continent with a perceived due - already paid.

History is history. While we should be aware of our past, and regret it in some cases, a metaphoric weeping and wailing achieves nothing.

We have to face the present and help where we can, not bemoan that which now cannot be rectified.

Mrs Ann F Walker, Wolsingham, Co Durham.