Sunday Express – 15 August 1999

I strongly disagree with the thrust of your article and editorial (August 8) suggesting that Dr John Reid is unsuitable as a future British Defence Secretary.

It is true that Dr Reid was previously a unilateral nuclear disarmer; but it is also true that he was one of the first to recognise his mistake, and genuinely campaign for a sensible nuclear deterrent policy.

As a former professional anti-CND campaigner, I am ready enough to criticise unsuitable Labour appointees, but Dr Reid does not fall into that category: he would be as good a Defence Secretary as any Labour government could provide.

Dr JULIAN LEWIS MP
Cadnam, Hampshire