Perhaps I can enlighten your correspondent, Peter Ingram (Open Lines, July 8). The Standards Committee was perfectly correct, politically speaking, in clearing Councillor Brown of racism even though she employed a term which is manifestly abusive in the context of ethnicity.

This is because, as I understand it, to be racist nowadays one must be white, preferably English, preferably 'posh'. Which is why Carol Thatcher was torn to shreds for likening a tennis player to a doll loved in her youth and with no slur intended. Naively, she trusted the old-fashioned conventions of private conversation.

Racism, in its proper sense is abhorrent because it is a form of bullying. Non-racial bullying happens to be rife, notably in schools, where heads routinely side with bullies. Non-racial bullying is fine provided the bully has the approval of the mob (Ross and Brand) and the victim is the object of popular derision (elderly, 'posh'). Our leaders and masters do not seem much interested.

Racism, in the media sense, is very high-profile. It sells newspapers. It wins votes. It is a meal ticket. It is a political cosh, wielded by our homegrown Stasi, whose mission has nothing to do with justice for victims and everything to do with prolonging the legacy of Stalin.

The word 'hypocrisy' springs to mind.

I hope this has cleared up a few points for Mr Ingram and others like him whose brains have escaped the state laundromat.

T Warner.