Letter: Public and private

Sir: The view is being expressed, in support of Mrs Cook's revelations concerning her husband, that the humiliation suffered at his hands justifies her actions. However, in cases of domestic violence, it is said, quite rightly, that there is no provocation which would ever justify a husband striking his wife. How therefore, is it possible to justify Mrs Cook's actions? It seems to me that Mr Cook has been duffed up in a quite frightening manner.

P GORDON

Bournemouth, Dorset