I ENTIRELY agree with MP Peter Luff that the British Red Cross Society decision to ban religious symbolism is a tragic mistake "likely to cause offence to people of all faiths".

But I question how such a ban is credible while the society itself continues to function under an emblem of Christianity?

Yes, we know the Red Cross was derived from the Swiss National Flag, but was not that flag itself a Christian emblem?

The British Red Cross Society is an admirable voluntary organisation but it does not have exclusive right to the emblem as is often supposed.

It uses it under licence from the Ministry of Defence, as do thousands of armed forces personnel who are in no way connected with the voluntary organisation.

As one privileged to wear the emblem in peace and war, I feel the society is confusing two very different issues - neutrality in conflict and religious persuasion.

I have never found one compromised the other, in fact, quite the opposite.

Tolerance of the belief of others helps to break down barriers.

In the interests of consistency, perhaps the British Red Cross Society should now contemplate changing its emblem or the Ministry of Defence consider revoking its licence.

JOHN HINTON, Worcester.