Beyond Wapping's barbed-wire

As revelations of illegality, corruption and complicity spill beyond Wapping's barbed wire to Scotland Yard, Downing Street and beyond ( Reports , 12 July), perhaps George Osborne's well-worn phrase could be requisitioned by the likes of Murdoch and Brooks, Cameron and Blair, Yates and Hayman: "We're all in this together." Stefan Simanowitz London • On 7 July some of the media seemed to know that Andy Coulson would be arrested on 8 July. He was. No doubt there was a respectable reason for the apparent pre-knowledge but could we please be assured that there was no inappropriate tip off and, please God, that no money changed hands? Robin Chichester-Clark Wincanton, Somerset • Re Russell Group elitism ( Letters , 11 July): in light of the revelations about the Murdoch empire, shouldn't media studies be made a compulsory subject? Young people learning to have a sceptical view of the media, to analyse, question and reflect are exactly what's needed. Di Jones Liverpool • With MPs of several colours scurrying to accuse themselves of cowering before press barons, they might care to debate the motion I first heard 50 years ago, as a tyro hack, as proposed by one of Lord Beaverbrook's most muscular editors: that "relations between politicians and the press have deteriorated, are deteriorating, and should in no circumstances be permitted to improve". Peter Fiddick Kew, Surrey • I haven't had so much fun since Watergate in 1973. Ian Sutherland Bury, Lancashire • Since we retired we've been buying the Guardian about three times a week. Following your excellent work, it's back to all six – we'll just have to eat a bit less! Paul Spedding Macclesfield, Cheshire • I notice the press say the News of the World was Britain's most popular newspaper with a weekly sale of 3.5 million. There are 10 million smokers in this country, yet virtually all the press say it's now unpopular. How do you work out these calculations? Get a better adding machine, and try and keep up the good work. (PS There are advantages to living in East Yorkshire: there are a lot less criminals live here than in much smaller counties, like Oxfordshire.) David Hockney Bridlington, East Yorkshire • ( Crisis engulfs family firm , 12 July): Rosebud ? Colin Harrison Nottingham