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Whether the yardstick is political repression, human rights abuses, war crimes or state violence, this article (Revealed: top university's links to Syria, 28 April) could have been written now or in recent years about China, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel and so on. The same argument could apply to trade: we should not sell them Airbuses or Land Rovers, or buy their oil, food, or electronics. It is an absurd reduction. Scholarly and academic relations between Britain and these and other countries have long predated, and will outlast, both their temporary tyrannies and convenient, selective and self-serving western condemnation of them. Cultural collaboration is just about the only sanity left.
Keith Burd
Collingham, Nottinghamshire
• It is with dismay that I have read many recent comparisons between the behaviour of our prime minister and that of my hero, Harry Flashman (Cameron accused of sexism over 'calm down dear' Commons taunt, 28 April). His diaries, lovingly edited by the late George MacDonald Fraser, reveal that while Mr Flashman was undoubtedly a morally bankrupt scoundrel, he had sufficient awareness of social etiquette that he would never have made such comments in public.
Tom Rossor
London
• Hugh Muir's Diary (26 April) stated that Gordon Brown is now ensconced at the World Economic Forum. He omitted to mention that this very important role as chair of an informal policy initiatives co-ordination board is unsalaried. The post of managing director of the IMF has not been advertised as there is no vacancy.
Sigmund Sternberg
World Economic Forum senior adviser to the Community for Religious Leaders
• It sounds posh in Barnsley if you have dinner money (Letters, 29 April). Very few kids in Greater London are familiar with this concept as most are on free school meals.
Steve Vanstone
Croydon, Surrey
• Talking about "improvised jazz" (Film & Music, 29 April) is surely tautological. All jazz involves improvisation. Might as well start writing "robin bird" .
Steve Beresford
London
