Time to purge the Parliament pests
Anyone who crosses acceptable lines of behaviour by touching others inappropriately should be made accountable for their behaviour, American presidents included.
It seems that the Harvey Weinstein case has opened a can of worms globally. And more heads will roll in all sectors of society, be it the military, government or the police.
Millionaire ex-Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is only the tip of the iceberg. But he will now retire with a golden handshake and a comfortable income, and most likely sit out his days in the House of Lords.
Reg Barrett, Southminster, Essex # All political parties must put their house in order with regard to the allegations of sexual impropriety among MPs and party members. It is a widespread problem of a culture which has previously allowed those in positions of power to get away with morally reprehensible behaviour. We’ve seen it in Hollywood and now we are seeing it in Parliament. We must give credit to the victims for coming forward and speaking publicly about their ordeals – such incidents can no longer be swept under the carpet.
Anne Wooding Nottingham # The Commons Speaker John Bercow is in charge of policing MPs’ behaviour in the House, so perhaps he should also take charge of monitoring their moral behaviour generally. An experienced and independent police investigation team could be formed to support him which could rely on fixed-period secondments of officers from regional forces.
Where cases can’t be taken to court, at least offenders would know that their names were on a register and they needed to mend their ways.
The Speaker would be in a position to warn party leaders of a need to nudge serial offenders to the exit.
John Shale, Wigan # The large number of allegations made against many MPs has been described as a witchhunt. But it is totally wrong to suggest that allegations of sexual impropriety against women is something which does not justify further examination or even criminal convictions if the evidence should lead to that course of action.
Howard Gardner Sale, Cheshire # The last thing Theresa May needs is by-elections due to resignations of Tory MPs, with Labour’s popularity increasing as the electorate becomes more disillusioned with austerity cuts. Her majority in the Commons is slender, and more seats for Corbyn would lead
to catastrophe for the PM.
Alex Hough Biggleswade, Beds # Theresa May demonstrates her ineffectiveness by waiting for Michael Fallon to resign rather than firing him. Maybe she will now have a show of hands from he r Cabinet as to how many of them have similar skeletons in their closets.
Geoff Willmetts Bridgwater Somerset # It seems Parliament is nothing more then a cesspit of greed and immorality. And, stealing a phrase from Donald Trump, we need to drain the swamp.
Garry Chant via Facebook
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It amazes me the number of TV personalities who don’t know how to wear a Remembrance Day poppy correctly.
The green leaf should be placed at 11 o’clock, signalling the time and date World War One ended. Some of the worst offenders are MPs of all three parties.
David King Roydon, Essex
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Like your reader John Baldock (Madeuthink, Nov 1), I too have been following F1 since the days of Graham Hill and so on, but over the decades the sport has changed from being exciting to a predictable parade of cars.
Next year I shall probably find something more interesting to watch, like paint drying or grass growing!
Joan Rosher Fairford, Glos