SIR - I wish to put the record straight on behalf of a Liberal Democrat colleague.

In his letter (May 23), Nick Chance accused Andrew Duff MEP of "traitorous statements" over the controversial EU constitutional treaty.

Andrew has noted that significant opposition to any such treaty comes from, among other countries, Britain.

Like all Liberal Democrats, he has often made the patriotic case for Britain to remain at the centre of Europe, and to be influential in its ongoing construction.

Perhaps Mr Chance would care to read Andrew's Constitution Plus, which outlines his views on a revision of the current treaty.

This pamphlet would demonstrate to Mr Chance that while he and Mr Duff hold very different views on Britain's future relationship with Europe, Andrew believes that his views are in the UK's national interest - just as I'm sure Mr Chance believes his are.

Open democratic debate and reasoned argument are hallmarks of British democracy.

Perhaps Mr Chance would do well to remember this before levelling such grave accusations again.

Richard Burt, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate,