SIR - The leaders of the Muslim communities in Britain have a duty to make sure their regular criticism of what we see as our basic right to free speech has a sound basis or otherwise they could be criticised as being seen trying to deny freedom of speech in Britain.

I believe the Pope did not need to apologise for quoting from a historical document at an academic seminar or conference.

Senior Muslim academics are well aware of things spoken against their prophet which may or may not be true and therefore choose not to voice them.

However, this does not preclude others from doing so in a free society.

I thank God for the many open-minded Muslims in our communities who see this incident as a storm in a teacup.

L Holdsworth, Ivey Lane, Bradford