I wholeheartedly agree with your correspondent who criticised the ex-Prime Minister as a war monger with blood on his hands.

The gentleman who refused to shake Blair's hand is Peter Brierley, whose son was killed in Iraq, in a war based on a lie, and which claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

Last Saturday I joined 10,000 others to march through the streets of London, to continue the campaign to stop the illegal, immoral wars, and bring our troops home from Afghanistan.

One of the speakers in Trafalgar Square was the same Peter Brierley. Another most emotional speech came from a 104-year-old grandmother, whose grandson was killed in Afghanistan.

After the speeches many of us walked down Whitehall towards Downing Street, and there I found myself standing next to Peter Brierley.

I asked if I could shake his hand. He immediately offered it. He shook my hand. He wouldn't shake Blair's hand. But he shook my hand. That meant a lot to me.

It's for people like Peter Brierley that I joined the Respect Party.

For those who are opposed to war, and want to see a world based on peace, justice and equality, find out more at www.therespectparty.net. There were many Respect Party members in Trafalgar Square, including on the speakers' platform. And we will keep on campaigning to end our Government's illegal wars and the suffering they bring.

Neil Maggs, Bristol Respect.