WE should all be thankful that Osama bin Laden was found by the Americans.

Had he been found by British troops, he would have been arrested, brought to this country and accorded all the protection that is now afforded to even the most heinous of criminals under the European Bill of Human Rights, the most ill-conceived piece of legislation ever adopted by an organisation that has made a virtue out of churning out useless dictats.

Bin Laden’s family would now be ensconced in a luxurious house in a fashionable part of London, living rent free, on state benefits.

The man himself would be receiving first-class medical care, while a team of top-flight lawyers (paid for by British taxpayers) fight to help their client escape punishment for his appalling crimes.

ROBERT READMAN, Norwich Avenue West, Bournemouth