Letter: Saudi justice

Sir: Your front page headline, "King Fahd's dilemma: Islamic justice versus Western values" (24 September) should read "Robin Cook's dilemma: commerce versus Western values".

The Government should unequivocally state what its position is on countries which have the death penalty. What we have at present is a selective response to commercial and diplomatic needs, where trade with Saudi Arabia is just too important to jeopardise for the sake of two people who may have committed a murder.

We should let countries understand that, should they execute any British citizen, then trade and diplomatic relations will be suspended. Taking such a lead would, in the long run, be a noble thing.

Andrew Tattersall

Bowdon, Cheshire