• THIS is not the letter I had intended for the New Journal this week.

On hearing the news from Manchester I decided to watch the TV and I was in tears when listening to a mother whose daughter had survived the explosion.

Then, she was immediately followed by the experts and analysts with the theories they wanted to espouse.

Why at this stage, when we were all so emotionally involved in this tragedy, was it necessary to have such a commentary? We are united in grief, and our thoughts are those who have directly been affected this week.

Let us have that at the front of our minds.

BOB DAVENPORT, WC1