When is a story a story and when is it not? That is the question posed by both Phil Gassmann and Cherryl Jenkin.

They both e-mailed me to query our reasons for publishing the story about a straight couple being thrown out of gay club Revenge for kissing.

"This was not a story at all," he says. "Does the Argus publish an article such as this every time someone is thrown out of a club? Gay clubs exist merely because gay people are not generally welcomed into straight clubs.

"They would certainly not be welcome if they kissed each other in full view of other club goers.

"In this instance, the couple were effectively guests and did not behave in the way guests should. They got their money back and were able to go and enjoy themselves elsewhere. A gay couple thrown out of a straight club would, more than likely, have spent the night in hospital."

Cherryl is more forthright, accusing us of prejudice and irresponsibility and not considering the damage the story could cause.

"All this report has done is light the fuse on an already tinder dry powder keg and the repercussions could be horrendous for the region's gay community and the Revenge."

They are, of course, largely right. When considered against a background of the appalling homophobic attacks that do happen in Brighton, it was - in hindsight - a mistake to publish this story and I apologise to the both the club and the wider gay community.

The Argus is certainly not bigoted and tries hard to be tolerant of everyone in this town. This is at least recognised by Phil, who is gracious enough to say: "The only issue here is the gay issue, something the Argus normally handles with tact and without discrimination." We shall try to once again uphold those standards in the future.

We managed a misprint in Carol Ramsden's letter published in Monday's Opinion page. In an attack on the Government, she questioned petrol price rises, the abolition of the married tax allowance and "raided pension schemes." We inadvertently printed "raided" as "raised". Sorry, Carol, and I hope this puts the record straight.

Anita Lovejoy's letter in last Thursday's Argus about a reunion of former pupils of Lewes Grammar Schools confused F J Peters, of Seaford, who writes to say there are three reunions, each being separately organised.

Listen carefully now, former children, here are the details. The girls' reunion is at Mountfield Road School, Lewes, on September 9 from 2pm to 6pm.

Details from Anita on 0208 8521656. The boys' do is on the same date but is being organised by Mr Peters (01323 892462). The third reunion is for ex-pupils of the Priory School (which took all the boys and girls after the Grammar schools closed) but Mr Peters doesn't have the details. Can anyone help?

Finally, I gather P D Jackson of Hove is not a fan of the former Northern Ireland secretary Willie Whitelaw, who we incorrectly stated in our birthday column last Wednesday was 82 that day.

"Willie Whitewash," he says, "actually died on July 1, 1999, just three days after his 81st birthday, but you probably should be forgiven for not noticing."

We hold our hands up to the error, but I think you should too Mr Jackson, for whatever you may think, were we not always taught you should never speak ill of the dead?