Letter: It helps to say 'sorry'

Sir: Nicholas Frayling has said what needs to be said: England also needs to say Nostra culpa for the terrible deeds of history.

A chance was missed at the time of the New Ireland Forum, when the three main parties of the Republic plus the SDLP began their report (presented in May 1984) with a statement of regret for what nationalism had done to the island of Ireland. Had the English - and the Unionists - done likewise, many deaths might since have been avoided. It is never too late.

Yours,

R. WHITE

Dudley, West Midlands

29 March