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How easy it is for Michael Mann in Los Angeles to pronounce that fascism is dead and has been so since the end of the Second World War (Features, July 9).

The logic of his message is that we should simply ignore fascist organisations such as the British National Party because they are "insignificant" or "radical populist" rather than "true fascist" and receive "critical scrutiny" once they are successful.

That's all right then. We don't have to worry about racist murders, attacks on synagogues - at the highest level for years - and the 800,000 votes that the BNP secured in the European elections because now there will be more critical scrutiny. Never mind that the victims of fascist violence may not be in a position to exercise that scrutiny.

Fascism is far from dead. It may be trying to present a respectable face, but it remains a dangerous diversionary weapon in the hands of Western ruling classes, particularly at times of economic crisis.

Martin Levy
Northumbria University