Letters: Ron Davies' courage

Sir: Your report of the resignation of Ron Davies from his Welsh Assembly post again trots out the old chestnut of his alleged "moment of madness" on Clapham Common.

As a resident of the area and living in a ward that, if the Boundary Commission has its way, will soon become known as Clapham Common, I am disappointed at the continued reporting of an association of Clapham Common with Mr Davies. No one apart from Mr Davies really knows what happened on the night of 26 October 1998.

The result is that, long after Ron Davies is forgotten, Clapham Common will be linked to the proclivities of a bisexual Cabinet Minister, just as Cliveden will for ever be known for its connection with sex and spies. The common most certainly is a meeting point for gay men but their activities do not impinge on local life.

All of this is very sad for poor old Clapham Common, still the butt of dinner-party jokes and sniggers. It is a popular and much used facility, straddling the border of the boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth. It is much in need of investment to provide better facilities, and the perpetuation of an undeserved reputation for sordid activity does little to promote confidence.

NICHOLAS LONG

London SW4