Saltdean residents speak of "ruined lives". I can only suggest they speak to some asylum-seekers and find out what it is really like to have your life ruined as opposed to suffering a bit of inconvenience.

The Government certainly needs to sort out a rational, effective and humane way of coping with people fleeing danger but all this hysteria plays into the hands of racists and fascists.

Calderdale has just elected a BNP councillor. If the rest of the British electorate was to be similarly influenced by irrational fears whipped up by sensationalist journalism and far-right politicians, we may ourselves need to seek asylum from a fascist regime and may wish then we had shown a little more compassion.

-Linda Freston, Old Shoreham Road, Brighton