SIR - I am getting used to Mark Starr's personal insults (Letters, July 6) - that is one of the joys of being a politician.

As he will never accept it from me, perhaps someone else can gently explain to him the basic difference that Nato has helped keep Europe secure from threats outside Europe while EU membership has helped prevent internal European wars between EU member states.

French missiles are not pointed at Germany.

PHILIP BUSHILL-MATTHEWS,

MEP European Parliament, Brussels.