We cannot turn our back on refugees after the Annecy attack

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Sadly, many will seize upon the assailant’s refugee status in Sweden as proof that borders should be closed (PA Wire)

The troubling news of the knife attack in Annecy, France, is a multiple tragedy. The six people, including four young children, are the obvious victims and will deserve everyone’s best wishes.

Sadly, many will seize upon the assailant’s refugee status in Sweden as proof that borders should be closed and that all refugees are nothing but ready-made criminals. Hopefully, many more people will recognise that the stabbings are no indication of the wider refugee crisis.

The welcome and support of refugees and asylum seekers need to be managed with sympathy and understanding, coupled with realistic and sustained support required for them to overcome the mental and physical damage they carry. Sadly, such a view is not likely to be encouraged by the UK government, which seems more intent on treating them like battery hens, four or more to a room on converted barges.

Currently, Rishi Sunak is in Washington DC discussing with the US president how the UK could benefit from artificial intelligence. When he gets back we would all be better off if he spent more time fostering natural intelligence by replacing his home secretary with someone who cares for others more than she cares for herself.

Gary Wiltshire

Isle of Mull

Brexit no longer wields the weight of democratic legitimacy, it never did

Guto Harri’s recent piece in The Independent provides interesting insights into the Brexit process, or lack of it, and the influence over its conduct by the ERG minority group in the Tory party.

He confirms himself to be a committed remainder and rejoiner, a man who values "the skills, energy, and entrepreneurialism that immigrants bring". He also rues "witnessing the tragic waste of precious time, energy and effort that Brexit brought about", a view shared by an increasing majority of the public.

Unlike many others, he no longer feels anger. I confess that the passage of time brings a growing anger at our hugely self-damaging departure, one based entirely on lies and a bogus concept of “lost” sovereignty. It is also worth keeping in mind that we are still yet to experience the many adverse impacts that will come by virtue of being kicked down the road by Boris Johnson and his Brexiteer successors.

The 2016 referendum based on proven deceit and unconscionable lies no longer wields the weight of democratic legitimacy. I would question if it ever did. Elsewhere in The Independent EU negotiator Michel Barnier a man who demonstrably can be trusted for informed and truthful opinion tells us that the UK can rejoin the EU at any time. Let’s get on with it. Perhaps he could negotiate for us this time?

David Nelmes

Newport

De-grading behaviour

Every individual lecturer taking part in the current marking boycott should be ashamed of themselves. Every institution involved directly or indirectly in the so-called “negotiations”, including the UCU, the UCEA, and the government, should be equally ashamed.

The current group of young people about to graduate (or at least hoping to) is the year that was unable to take any A-levels in 2020 having worked so hard for them. They then had to suffer through the predicted grades debacle and following that they had a first year at university consisting of continual lockdowns, virtual lectures, minimal contact with other people, and far too much time sitting alone in a room.

Now we find that some may not receive a valid, timely degree grading. This would cause great distress as well as practical issues. It would also spoil their much-deserved graduation events.

There is simply no justification for punishing this group of young people further. Anyone involved or with influence should do whatever is required to help solve this matter immediately.

Jeremy Sams

Address provided

How much more must we endure of ‘When Harry Met Meghan’?

From the blind date to today, it seems to never stop.

At the photo call in the Kensington Palace gardens subsequent to their engagement, Harry was teasingly asked when he knew Markle was the one, and briskly replied: “the very first time we met.”

The singular voice of consistency it seems was Her Majesty the Queen who was “fully supportive” and “delighted to see Harry in a loving relationship.”

So let’s hear the end of this tale of sorrow and put it asunder now Harry has had his time in court.

Kit Thompson

Cambridge

We did start the fire

Astronauts typically express awe for the beautiful Earth they see below while in orbit. I wonder how they feel when seeing the immense pollution from raging massive forest fires, like the one currently consuming much of Quebec and fouling New York City’s air, basically due to human-caused global warming?

I also wonder if the planet’s most freely-polluting corporate CEOs, governing leaders, and over-consuming individuals were rocketed far enough above the earth for a day’s orbit would they, while looking down, be profoundly affected into changing their ways? Would the view below lead them to change their apparently unconditional political and financial support of fossil fuel giants?

Even as bone-dry-vegetation regions uncontrollably burn, mass addiction to fossil fuel products undoubtedly helps keep the average consumer quiet about the planet’s greatest polluter, lest they feel or be publicly deemed hypocritical. It must be convenient for fossil fuel giants!

Frank Sterle Jr

White Rock, Canada