Letter: The ethics of arms sales

Friday 29 May 1998 00:02 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Your leading article "Arms and the rhetoric of ethics" (26 May) spends half a column failing to point out the obvious truth that the only ethical policy on selling arms is not to do it at all. Attempts to be just a little bit ethical - like attempts to be just a little bit pregnant - are always doomed to failure, as Robin Cook's well-meaning contortions demonstrate.

Whether the world - let alone British industry - is ready for such a policy is another question, but let us be clear about what we are aiming at.

BILL LINTON

London N13

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Letter: The ethics of arms sales

Join our commenting forum

Thank you for registering