It’s not just the Tories
In the interests of balance I think I should point out to Tony Weaving (Cashing in at our expense, May 6) there are currently at least seven MPS who still "sit" in parliament drawing salary and are entitled to a large payoff after the next election (if/when they step down), that were elected as Labour members.
These include Claudia Webbe, convicted in a court of law of harassment several years ago, Nick Brown, whose allegations against him have not been made public and Jeremy Corbyn, who Starmer and Stephen Morgan campaigned vigorously to be our Prime Minister. None of these have stepped down.
And then there are others, like Rupa Huq, who were suspended from Labour for alleged racist comments yet now have the whip restored.
I know Mr Weaving admits to being a Labour supporter but with people like these I think he has plenty of reason to be concerned about the next intake of MPS – whoever they represent.
F Cross Southsea
Punishment doesn’t fit crime
I fully agree with Jon Cole's letter highlighting the ridiculous fine imposed upon a blue badge holder. (Was this fine appropriate?,
April 25).
Perpetrators of violent crimes are often treated more leniently, for instance given a suspended sentence (that's pretty much being let off, isn't it?) or an order to carry out 'community work.' I wonder how this enforced?
Now we have another misuse of a blue badge story (Mum falsely used her son's blue badge).
When challenged she was said to have 'spun a web of lies.' what? It sounds like the typical accusations a barrister might make in Midsomer Murders or Morse!
This however was not a murder trial. It was a case of wrongful parking and warranted a fine of £528 quid.
Wrongful parking. No one has been injured, nothing has been stolen and no damage, wilful or otherwise has been caused. Certainly, it might cause inconvenience and may even be deemed as inconsiderate behaviour.
It is not however a heinous crime; it is not an act of treason against one's country so why are people so up in arms about petty things like this?
For goodness' sake, let's try to keep things in perspective.
I swear this world is going crazy.
Anthony Fenlon
Waterlooville
A Sumatran orangutan has, according to scientists.
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A matter of fact
We strive to ensure all the news we report is fair and accurate. However, if you have a complaint, please contact us using the details above. If you remain dissatisfied, then you can contact the Independent Press Standards Organisation, IPSO, at Gate House, 1 Farringdon Street, London, EC4M 7LG (Tel: 0300 123 2220) or email: inquiries@ipso.co.uk become the first wild creature to treat an injury using medicinal plants.
I can only assume these scientists are either very young, new to their roles or incredibly ignorant of the world in which we live.
For centuries, pet owners will have observed their animals consuming plants known to be natural emetics.
Yes, if your cat or dog eats something that disagrees with its digestive system, he/she will immediately seek plants that make their belly eject whatever noxious material it has ingested.
My own cat would regularly feast on vermin and out of date merchandise from local shops and bins.
He would return with a belly expanding by the minute.
With a resigned expression on his face he would ask to be excused then removed himself from polite society.
He would saunter nonchalantly yet with purpose towards the overgrown corner of the garden and chew on the leaves of plants we humans know as weeds.
Half an hour later he would deposit the contents of his tummy on the back door step. Now relieved, he would look hopefully at his food bowl.
In short, cats and dogs have long known what these callow scientists claim to have discovered.
Nick Haines Paulsgrove
I can only assume these scientists are either very young, new to their roles or incredibly ignorant of the world in which we live
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