NO-ONE will have been surprised at Public Health England’s indifference (Echo, March 3) to details of recently-published fluoride research (February 28), especially as it related to investigations in another country.

We were fobbed off with the usual platitude that fluoridation is “a safe and effective public health measure.”

Even if it were true, it is beside the point, since the water system is for supplying water, not for administering a substance readily available for all who want it.

It was early disclosed that among the staff actively promoting enforced fluoridation who transferred from the SHA to PHE, one of them had been given the distinctly Orwellian title of “chief knowledge officer” – a fact which will have conveyed its own message to the reader.

Nearly three months after asking the water company why, with no excuse for proceeding with fluoridation, no announcement had been made about its abandonment, I have received the following evasive reply: “Public Health England are not awaiting any further information from Southern Water at this time. Therefore, we are unable to advise on their current position.”

After their lengthy prevarication I am afraid that, in the minds of the people, PHE is now a discredited organisation.

G. PAYNE, Southampton.