No martyrdom for me

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.