IN reply to Stephen Dixon’s letter (HAS, July 2), I can say yes I have seen Sir Stuart Bell several times over the past ten years.

As a Middlesbrough resident, while glad of Mr Dixon’s comments, many thousands of us not only voted for Sir Stuart but also campaigned door-todoor for his re-election, several times since 1983.

We have worked together on several campaigns including “Save Our Steel” and pensioner poverty when Sir Stuart was able to enlist the support of the then-Prime minister Gordon Brown directly.

As for not holding monthly surgeries. Why not use the modern options of email or Twitter? Or old-fashioned letter writing?

As Sir Stuart was a previous victim of violence and is a former Northern Ireland minister, perhaps even Mr Dixon can understand the need for some security?

Finally, he meets his people and campaigns, at all the appropriate times, and is always available to all Middlesbrough residents.

Dennis Burns, Branch secretary, Beckfield Branch Labour Party,