MIKE TAYLOR (HAS, Jan 7) should not be concerned. I don’t keep “brilliant records,” nor do I have “an exceptionally good memory”.

But The Northern Echo website does. Both CT Riley and I have been writing to HAS for many years, and most (but not all) of our letters are on the website, and can be found using the search button at the top right of the page.

I did remember that Mr Riley and I had similar views about Iraq. By limiting the search to 2002, I was easily able to find what I was looking for. CT Riley (also Jan 7) now says that we are “at war with ISIS”. As I pointed out in my previous letter, the emergence of ISIS is the direct result of the misguided attack on Iraq, which he, I and Jeremy Corbyn opposed at the time.

Along with other unfounded allegations, he says that Mr Corbyn cannot be trusted to put British interests first, due to his alleged links with terrorists.

I suggest that it is in Britain’s best interest to adopt Labour’s foreign policy, which is based on justice, human rights, international law, conflict resolution and diplomacy, going to war only as a last resort.

And yes, this may, when appropriate, involve talking to “terrorists” – though Mr Corbyn has categorically ruled out negotiating with ISIS.

Pete Winstanley, Durham