Letter: Complete irrelevance

Sir: Trevor Cox's letter (2 September) referring to the wording of the IRA ceasefire only serves to indicate that he does not understand the meaning of the word 'complete'. His statement: 'Today my train came to a complete stop outside Clapham Junction. The stop was not permanent, however, because after the stop, my train started again' has exactly the same meaning if the word 'complete' is omitted.

It must follow therefore that, as he used it, 'complete' has no meaning. In fact, a 'complete stop' must mean a stop that is more definite, dare I say permanent, than just any old stop]

Yours sincerely,

KIERAN SEALE

London, W6

2 September