Letter: Hatred for gays

Sir: I hope that the forthcoming House of Lords vote on the age of consent will not be made the excuse for another campaign of hatred against the hereditary peers ("Persecuted gays", Letters, 24 June). I trust my fellow peers (of all sorts) enough to believe that they will listen to the arguments and take no final decision until they have done so. Meanwhile, we should not be condemned for what we have not yet done. Hereditary peers as well as gays have the right to claim that we should not be victims of discrimination.

Earl RUSSELL

Liberal Democrat Social Security spokesman

House of Lords