I would like to congratulate Jeremy Clarkson on his honorary degree from Oxford Brookes University, an award richly deserved for the way he passes on his enthusiasm for engineering and motoring to us all (Oxford Mail, September 12).

I would also like to comment on the conduct of the anti-Clarkson campaigners. It was utterly appalling.

Whoever threw the custard pie should have been arrested on the spot for antisocial behaviour or common assault.

The fact that an elected councillor of this city commented that he was a "legitimate target" for assault is a very disturbing development in a democratic society. Mr Clarkson's views are as legitimate as Craig Simmons's.

Douglas Pocock (age 15)

Green Road

Headington

Oxford