REBECCA McQuillan writes about the cringe factor which she believes arises at times during the long-running relationship between the UK and the US ("Stuck with the British cringe in our dealings with the US", The Herald, July 12). This topic brings to mind the actions of two previous Prime Ministers, as it happens both Labour.

Tony Blair, admired by President George W Bush for having "cojones", overrode the reservations and objections of many politicians, including Robin Cook, and members of the public, and decided to join the US in the invasion of Iraq. Robin Cook resigned his position and commented: "On Iraq, I believe that the prevailing mood of the British people is sound. They do not doubt that Saddam is a brutal dictator, but they are not persuaded that he is a clear and present danger to Britain'". Mr Blair's reputation has been irremediably damaged by his involvement of this country in the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath.

Many would say that the career of Harold Wilson as Prime Minister is somewhat chequered. He was from time to time under considerable pressure from President Johnson of the US to send British troops (even a token force) to fight in Vietnam. Wilson resisted that pressure, even although during those years Britain's economic position was vulnerable and required US support. For not being susceptible to the "British cringe" on that occasion and, as a result, not getting caught up in the horrendous quagmire which became the Vietnam War, the British should be for ever grateful to Wilson.

Ian W Thomson, Lenzie.

REBECCA McQuillan cleverly uses Boris Johnson’s own words to postulate that a Boris Johnson-run UK would be a vassal state subordinate to the interests of the United States. But since Scotland is subordinate to diktat from London, that would presumably make Scotland a vassal state within a vassal state. And if Scotland votes to be independent, then would that put Boris Johnson’s “A-Jockalypse Now” to the notion put forth by the UK Government's legal advisers in 2014, that Scotland was “extinguished by the Union”, and was now part of a “Greater England”?

This is actually an important question, as the legal status apportioned to Scotland and England as they dissolve the Treaty of Union, will determine the obligations of both over a whole range of issues, from debt/asset apportionment to membership of intergovernmental organisations.

GR Weir, Ochiltree.

IN the context of Ambassador Darroch’s resignation Theresa May said: “I hope the house will reflect on the importance of defending our values and principles, particularly when they are under pressure.” Surely a none-too-subtle criticism of Boris Johnson.

I acknowledge that it is only too easy and indeed foolish to see conspiracies everywhere, but I suggest that given the relentlessly immoral behaviour and arrogance of Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson, one cannot but wonder. No doubt we will see the latter, having entered No 10, appointing as ambassador not someone on the grounds of his or her integrity and professionalism but on the grounds of their Trump-like values.

The tactics of the Brexit Ultras are obvious. On his radio programme Mr Farage suggested that every civil servant, every ambassador, would have to be removed if they are Remainers, the implication being they would be replaced with placemen.

I do not know if there is a term for this process but it is not technically correct to refer to it even as fascism “by the back door” as some have but one can only speculate where we might be being led.

Nevertheless I draw your readers attention to the assertion in by Lord Hall, BBC Director-General, in your article of July 12 ("Hall: The attack on truth like Hitler rise); “the current prevalence of fake news (is) similar to the misinformation and propaganda in the decade which saw the rise of Adolf Hitler”.

We who worry where indeed we might be going must take every opportunity to march and demonstrate in the days ahead. Even send emails to the Letters Pages.

John Milne, Uddingston.

AM I the only one who gets rather tired of hearing about our “special relationship” with our “staunchest ally”? With all the recent publicity around the D-Day landings anniversary and now this latest diplomatic upset because our ambassador told the truth, does no-one remember that it took more than 50 years to pay off the country with whom we have such a "special relationship” for what they gave us under the lease-lend agreement? Does anyone really believe that our "staunchest ally” would have entered the Second World War if they had not been attacked by Japan? The US is only concerned about what is deemed to be good for the US, regardless of what happens to the rest of the planet.

John N E Rankin, Bridge of Allan.

FOLLOWING Donald Trump’s second (or third) term in office, Ivanka Trump will be the next president of the United States. To name the governor of the Trump Islands (formerly the United Kingdom) during her presidency would only be guessing.

Eric Duncan, Cardross.

AS her period in office draws to a close, Theresa May could ensure her legacy by advising Her Majesty to appoint Boris Johnson as Her Ambassador to the United States, his appointment to take immediate effect to fill the gap created by Sir Kim Darroch’s resignation.

Hugh Morton, Gauldry, Fife.