Respeck to Tony B for his Ali G interview | Brief letters

Tony Benn v Ali G | Ancient knitting | Picky bits | More nominative determinism Sacha Baron Cohen may have tricked Tony Benn into thinking that Ali G was a real person, but he certainly didn’t succeed in making a fool of him ( Booyakasha! Ali G is back – but even he can’t match the absurdity of modern Britain, 5 September ).

Matching the robustness of his answers to that of Ali G’s questions, Benn displayed no condescension or snobbery. Instead his response was a masterclass in courtesy, based on the view that anyone is entitled to ask questions, however far removed their speech is from that of an Oxford don. The laugh was rather on Baron Cohen. Vivien Bailey St Albans • I beg to differ with Richard Ross (…