Letter: MPs make hard work of tired excuses

Sir: Am I unreasonable to be somewhat offended at the suggestion in your leading article 'A professional Parliament' (21 May) that one of the essential reasons for the recent spate of scandals involving Tory MPs is the long hours demanded of them by Parliament?

Is it really the case that these poor, tired MPs, their lives so dedicated to their work at Westminster, have no choice but to turn to the 'whisky bottle' and 'the secretary'? Michael Brown's behaviour did not seem to me to be the action of an overwrought and exhausted man. Reforming the Commons working week is a good idea - but please don't make excuses for MPs who espouse one ideal, then live according to another.

Yours faithfully,

EMMA NORTON

London, W1