28 APRIL 2001, Page 27

Less ammo for anglophobes

From Q.G. Daniel Sir: While anyone with sense must deplore the attitude of the Scottish football fans described by Tim Luckhurst (`Scotland the terrified', 12 April), it seems simplistic in the extreme to judge a nation by that particular 'parcel of rogues' (Scotland is turning inward', etc.). Imagine judging England solely by the behaviour of its fans! Now that is a frightening thought.

Mr Luckhurst's linking of devolution with increased anti-English sentiments also seems suspect. The latter were surely at their height during the Thatcher years, when the rule of Westminster was rightly viewed as both unrepresentative and insensitive. Now that a devolved Scotland is forced to take some measure of responsibility for itself, isn't it more likely that the anglophobes will have less and less ammunition?

Q. G. Daniel

Paris