THE Rev Tim Jones (no relation, I am happy to say) is indignant about the “wannabe Dirty Harry-esque” anonymous Minister criticising the Archbishop of Canterbury (The Press, May 9).

The archbishop with his “warning words of wisdom and faith” (some wisdom, some faith!) and our “outspoken priest” have no knowledge of the situation which confronted the Navy Seal who pulled the trigger. Like the minister, they have no basis on which to pontificate.

It seems at least possible that the Seal who fired the shot had no idea whether bin Laden had a suicide vest nor whether he had set up some other form of booby trap.

Bin Laden had often proclaimed – from the comfort of his mansion, as it turned out – that he would not be taken alive. Should that Seal have taken one more chance of making his wife a widow and his children orphans, in addition to all the risks he had taken so far and still faced? I suggest not.

Perhaps the reverend gentleman has inside information about the situation confronting the Seals. If so, he should share it. If not, I suggest he free the newspaper columns for more informed comment.

Brian A Jones, Clinton Street, Brooklyn, New York.