I know that my Muslim friends would have been ashamed if they had read the Universe newspaper on February 10.

It was reported that a Catholic porter employed at Manchester Children's Hospital had been dismissed by his employers for gross misconduct.

It was reported that the porter became annoyed when Muslim visitors to the prayer room constantly covered the crucifix and the statue of the Virgin Mary.

On the last occasion he went to uncover them, there was a confrontation with three Muslim visitors.

The police became involved, but decided to take no further action. The matter is now in the hands of the man's union.

Imagine the outcry if this had been in reverse, with the covering up of a Muslim symbol.

There would have been protest marches with cries of "off with their heads" etc.

I shouldn't think that either of our spiritual directors, Dr Rowan Williams or Cardinal Cormac O'Connor, were aware of these gross insults when they agreed on some kind of compromising pronouncement between Muslims and Christians.

DOUG ROTHERY Horspath Road Cowley Oxford