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Readers may be puzzled why my resignation from the Nottingham University and College Union committee was newsworthy, since local officers' departures don't usually garner national attention (Campus round-up, 12 June).

It was fun to see my life "sexed up" with implications of UCU infighting, presidential reproach and angry colleagues, but I should confess what Times Higher Education decided not to report: I'm no martyr to my opinions.

The response to the open letter that Macdonald Daly and I wrote about the recent "terror arrests" has been overwhelmingly supportive, with the facts as they emerge about the case substantiating our position. Moreover, I decided to resign about six months ago: all being well, readers will be pleased to know the baby is due on 4 July. I'd therefore like to thank Times Higher Education for giving me this opportunity to comment on the "story" and clarify that detail. I know some people like to have the publication from the day they were born - I can't imagine how excited my daughter will be about actually being in it.

Sean Matthews, Nottingham.