If Parliament can’t even see how to behave morally, no wonder it’s making a mess of Brexit

SIR – Common sense enables most ordinary people to determine what conduct of theirs might be viewed as sexual harassment.

It beggars belief that Parliament requires an inquiry to establish a code of conduct for this purpose.

Perhaps this indicates why it is having such a struggle in making progress with Brexit. Norman Macfarlane

Kingston upon Thames, Surrey

SIR – While not excusing offensive behaviour, I would rather be led by people with faults and also ability than by people with no faults and no ability. David Mcintosh

Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire

SIR – So that’s got rid of the Defence Secretary. Now we need to get rid of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor and the Home Secretary and we might have a chance of winning the next election. Adrian Lloyd-edwards

Stoke Fleming, Devon SIR – It is disconcerting to see the vital issue of sexual harassment obscured by trivia and character assassination.

Most people have made unwanted advances at one time or another. But mud has a uncanny ability to stick, and that should always be borne in mind. James Dixon

Stanningfield, Suffolk

SIR – Notwithstanding any of his historic misdemeanours, I sincerely hope Sir Michael Fallon, with his enormous experience and more recent knowledge gained as an internationally respected defence secretary, will remain on the sidelines and continue to give much-needed advice to his successor. Georgina Leyland

Belford, Northumberland

SIR – Too many ladies nowadays dress rather provocatively for their everyday jobs. That must be part of the reason why men think that anything goes. Vreni Baggaley

Gloucester SIR – I would imagine that French politicians are convulsed with laughter when they read and hear about the problems at Westminster. John D Guthrie

Winchester, Hampshire

SIR – Dare I say that Gavin Williamson is much better-looking than his predecessor, or will I be accused of sexual harassment? Susan Sang

Petersfield, Hampshire

SIR – Yesterday, at lunch, the waiter serving me was moving away quickly, and I needed to tell him we had no salt. I put my hand on the bare flesh of his arm.

I am 102, and I am concerned that in 15 years, if this comes out, I may be asked to leave the retirement home in which I live. Ione Carver

Guildford, Surrey

SIR – I hope that this scandal will put an end to the dreadful habit of hugging and kissing on meeting and saying goodbye. Bring back the handshake. Vivienne Ling

Rochdale, Lancashire

SIR – Am I the only one shouting at the radio when someone wrongly pronounces the word harassment with a stress on the second syllable? Diana Spencer

Herne Bay, Kent

SIR – Holidaying in the south of France, we were dining al fresco. During dinner I felt what I thought was my neighbour’s hand on my knee.

As I am quite old, I was amazed (and possibly a little flattered) that someone should do that to me. After a moment of deep breathing, I looked down and saw that the culprit was none other than a beautiful little wild fox.

I decided to say nothing to anyone but not to feed him. He was lovely for a few minutes, until he suddenly jumped up and bit me on the shoulder. Margaret Ferguson

Newmarket, Suffolk