There are similarities in the political responses to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and the execution of the Observer journalist Farzad Bazoft by Iraq. Donald Trump’s comments about refusing to jeopardise US arms deals with Saudi Arabia are an echo of Margaret Thatcher’s statement that her government would not act against British interests with Saddam Hussein, and the attitude that Bazoft probably was spying for Israel then is similar to the smears that Khashoggi had links to the Muslim Brotherhood now as justification for inaction on the part of both governments.

The UK and the US both continued to supply arms to Iraq until the invasion of Kuwait, and both continue to supply Saudi Arabia despite the horrifying destruction in Yemen. Apparently nothing has changed in the intervening years.

Blanche Barwood

Liverpool

• It’s clear from the Khashoggi affair that the Saudi intelligence service is not up to scratch, so maybe we should stop selling arms there and offer them tuition by MI5 instead. But on second thoughts, perhaps not…

Cherry Lavell

Arlington, East Sussex

• Why so surprising (Fears of targeted attacks as bombs sent to Clinton, Obama and CNN, 25 October) when Trump praises and supports a Montana congressman for violently assaulting a Guardian correspondent?

David Shannon

Ireland’s Cross, Shropshire

• Trump’s rantings against his perceived enemies are reminiscent of Henry II’s throwaway remark “Who will rid me of this turbulent priest?” This gave the four knights a licence to murder Archbishop Becket. To repeat Henry’s penance, Trump would have to confess his sins, strip to his drawers and crawl the length of the aisle of Canterbury Cathedral while being scourged by assembled bishops and 80 monks. I live in hope.

John Hurdley

Birmingham

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