NEIL Mackay’s article began with the matter raised by member of the Question Time audience about the Vote Leave group having broken electoral law on spending limits, and Fiona Bruce not accepting it as fact when it was ("Question Time and the BBC must end destruction of trust", The Herald, November 5). Associating this error with the need for accuracy in the forthcoming election raised some interesting points.

First, I was pleased to read that someone believes, as I do, that the BBC, for all its faults, really does strive for political fairness and impartiality.

Secondly, I agree with the assertion that for the coming election, with all that is at stake, “facts, truth and trust are the most vital issues for the electorate”. You can live in hope, but you won’t see it. Several people in history are attributed to being the first to say: "In war, the first casualty is truth.” The same could be said for election-eering once the polling date has been set. True or false, the campaigners will tell you what they think will net them your vote. He was right to say that “this election will be fought on lies, deceit and manipulation”. Was it ever any different?

Third, it was clear in the programme that Fiona Bruce didn’t know the facts of the matter. There was, to my mind, no question of bias on her part; she just handled it badly. She should have passed it to one of the panel or just treated it as a comment and moved on.

One thing she failed to do was clamp down on panel members who ignored the question asked, and just launched into a prepared campaign speech. She is going to face a lot of that between now and December 12, and needs to be firm when it happens.

Finally, I look forward to this week’s edition from Glasgow; if the BBC can find a balanced audience and she can keep them in order, she’ll go up in my esteem, and I’ll forgive her for last week’s misjudgements.

Jim Robertson, East Kilbride.

Teachers need support

I READ with interest Stephen Naismith's article (“Hundreds of disabled pupils restrained or put into isolation”, The Herald), November 4) and the remark by Enable Scotland’s director that “every child should go to school knowing they are safe from physical and psychological harm”.

Whilst I do not condone the use of restraint, like most things in life there are two sides to most arguments and I write this letter to highlight the challenges faced by teaching and support staff in the SEN (Special Education Needs) sector. These staff similarly have rights to attend their place of work without being subjected to physical assault by upset or distraught pupils. I speak as the husband of a teacher with 19 years’ experience in SEN who has seen his wife come home in tears after being punched in the face at her place of work. I am led to believe that this was not an isolated incident.

A solution is most certainly required.

Ian Craig, Strathaven.

Quiet fireworks plea

THERE has been correspondence in The Herald and discussion on the radio about banning fireworks because of the disturbance caused to people. I have heard the points put forward for banning fireworks, and the other side for allowing them. I have not heard or seen anyone promoting the middle ground, that is keep fireworks but reduce the "bang" to zero. That way people watching can enjoy the display, but no be disturbed by the exces-sive noise.

Bruce Steven, Glasgow G52.