The following letter appeared in today's SMH, related to the latest allegations against John Howard and the children overboard claims of 2001:

'John Howard's response to Mike Scrafton's disclosure is his usual one: to split hairs.

But after all these years, we are learning to examine very carefully everything the Prime Minister says for some obscure literal meaning he will later rely on if it suits him.

What future does a politician have if his words can no longer be taken at face value?

Not happy, John'.

Richard Ure, Epping, August 16