Change culture

Just less than 20 years ago President Bill Clinton was embroiled in possibly the greatest political sex scandal ever. At one stage he felt it necessary to address the people of the United States on television about some of the details of his affair with intern Monica Le win sky. Having at first claimed that he did “not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky” he was now partly repentant. He conceded that he did have a relationship that “was not appropriate. Indeed it was wrong ”. This was perhaps the first time that the word “appropriate” was given such wide credence on the international stage. It led to much speculation as to what he actually meant. I was surprised Scots man columnist Bill Jamieson didn’t mention it when expressing his own reservations about the use of the term“inappropriate behaviour” in the context of the current Westminster controversy ( Perspective, 2 November).

He is right to suggest that the term has just become too wide in its application. But he is wrong to suggest that the introduction of procedures with designated individuals as points of reference can’t play a part in combating sexual harassment.

In the context of the House of Commons it will be necessary to introduce some sort of code for self- employed members of that chamber. The staff in the House, mainly responsible to the Clerk, already have a code of practice about their dealings with elected members. The plethora of journalists, researchers and diplomats who frequent the corridors need to have their responsibilities reinforced too.

It will be a step towards introducing a more businesslike and civilised atmosphere, although only the very naive would assume these changes could alter the essentially club-like atmosphere that exists in the buildings. Procedures can be abused by the overtly politically correct, the jealous, the humourless and the disaffected. But they can provide a framework that over time might help to bring about a change in attitude. This is vital if the reputation of both government and legislature is to be restored.

BOB TAYLOR Shiel Court, Glenrothes

Yet another government minister resigns in the wake of a scandal. That is, Sir Michael Fallon resigns his ministerial position but retains his seat as an MP and the possibility of returning to the Cabinet when the prime minister feels the furore has died down.

I wish someone could enlighten me as to the double standards at work here. Not fit to be a minister by his own admission, but still fit to be an MP? It has happened before and it will happen again– David Laws is a good example. Time, perhaps, for the press to ask Fallon what he believes the difference in standards are? As a mere MP, is his questionable behaviour now acceptable in public office?

TIM MCCORMACK High Street, Coldstream

While agreeing that our MPS and MSPS should have high standards, I am surprised knee touching is apparently a capital offence, while all the allegations about child pae - do phi le rings smoulder on apparently in limbo and expense scandals ( theft in the outside world) demand simply handing back the ill- gotten gains and drawing up new rules that are fairly generous to say the least!

I am surprised that we are apparently demanding the highest standards in our elect- ed members while House of Lord members draw exces - sive expenses for being able to walk though a door, register and then exit clutching the loot.

There again, I am not surprised as our society has abandoned t he Go d- given moral code, substituting a licence to form one’s own code. JAMES WATSON Randolph Crescent Dunbar, East Lothian

The 19 th-century historian Lord Macaulay rightly wrote “We know no spectacle so ridiculous as the British public in one of its periodical fits of morality .” The W einstein farrago has led to ap let hora of witch-hunts whereby clumsy encounters are seen as dangerous sex crimes and awkward flirtation as brutish harassment.

Yet the febrile indignation of snow flakery portraying men as predatory beast sand women as anxious wallflowers undermines decades of female empowerment. Portraying the workplace as a cauldron of fear, conflict and depravity where female employees are at permanent risk promotes the worst kind of gender stereotyping.

The inescapable logic is that women, for their protection, should stay at home or be segregated at work, just as misogynists advocate. And it does women another terrible disservice in trivialising genu - ine abuse. If the clumsy knee-toucher is put on the same plane as the vicious rapist, the cause of female emancipation is lost. ( REV DR) JOHN CAMERON Howard Place, St Andrews