Sir - When the coalition government backed plans to restrict the support given to rescue immigrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, they knew that it would probably lead to more deaths.

A Government Minister at the time said that it was wrong to save the lives of people fleeing from war-torn countries in North Africa because doing so would 'simply encourage more people to attempt the dangerous sea crossing'.

The hope was that the fear of drowning would deter people from crossing. This showed a complete lack of understanding at just how desperate the people willing to make this risky journey are.

On the other hand, maybe they did know that people would still try to cross and made the decision anyway. So, either it was ignorant or a deliberate policy that they knew would cost lives.

Matthew Jenkins

Worcester