Oh for an evil genius, a Blofeld. Oh for a real villain, for web of wickedness, a vortex, a mastermind. Oh for a mind. Oh for a dastardly cause, or a noble cause. Oh for any cause.
For this is what so profoundly depresses in Labour's funding scandal. It's all so low grade. The characters involved are so shrivelled. “Tragic,” say the commentators. But the real tragedy is that the story fails even to rise to the level of tragedy. It's farce: a pathetic, demeaning tale of small minds, small imaginations, small stakes; a silly, twisted, inconsequential tale of paltry people hiding paltry sums of money for paltry motives.
A tale of spivvy incompetence: a big stage, and a cast of insects. Second-rate ministers flanking a third-rate Prime Minister waited upon by fourth-rate courtiers sending out the begging bowl to fifth-rate sleeve-tuggers who aren't even very rich. At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, that “Mr Bean” gibe said it all.
New Labour, it seems, can't even cook its own books. They can't even co-ordinate a cover-up. They failed to find out fast enough what it was they had to cover up, failed to take the elementary precaution of reconciling their excuses, and failed to square their alibis. Talk of a piss-up in a brewery — this lot couldn't organise a scam in an amusement arcade.
There's space this morning — if you will indulge a moment's pure cynicism — for a modest expression of professional regret that our Government has proved a flop even at cheating. Turn in your grave, Horatio Bottomley. Blush, Robert Maxwell. Standards have slipped. Top-notch fraudsters up and down the country must be wincing at the sheer incompetence. Labour has brought disgrace on self-respecting hustlers everywhere.
Were I a senior Labour politician this weekend, much of the shame I'd feel would be because people in my party had behaved like crooks; but a little, secret bit of it would be because they've proved such incompetent crooks. We're not talking the Old Bailey here; not even Crown Court. We're talking Woking Magistrates' Court on a wet winter Tuesday; a shuffling line of dysfunctional miscreants in soiled shell-suits, struggling to read the oath, let alone to understand the charges against them.
We have a party leader incapable even of colluding with his own deputy. We have a Prime Minister so pathetically anxious to elbow blame on to his colleagues that in the first five minutes of the story breaking he volunteers — volunteers — the opinion that what has happened is “unlawful”, thus permanently settling the argument about whether it should be a matter for the police.
We see a chief fundraiser prominent in the Labour Friends of Israel who has made an apparently personal donation to the most pro-Palestinian of all the candidates for the deputy leadership. Unveiled too is a Mr Big so not big that he struggles to find halfway credible launderers for his secret donations. Hissed from the stage, as much in pity as anger, is a Labour general secretary who claims to have forgotten — or never understood — the simplest rules in the new legislation it is his job to implement.
Where do they find these people? What possessed Gordon Brown to declare, before he had the least reason to know it to be true, that there was one individual alone, Labour's general secretary, who knew about the fake donors — just as the media began unearthing all the others, and, as I write, are still unearthing? Didn't that great strategist, that colossus of a political intellect, pause for a moment to wonder whether there might be more to come out?
In what stunted imagination but Mr Brown's could the plan then be hatched to make Harriet Harman the scapegoat — for receiving, on Mr Brown's own lieutenant's advice, a sum representing less than 1 per cent of the total monies paid by David Abrahams? To what bully's mind but Mr Brown's could it fail to occur that if he kicked her in the stomach she might defend herself?
The root, I suspect, of Mr Brown's peremptory and careless handling of this story lies in his fathomless resentment of Tony Blair. The rest of the country may find it hard to believe that the present Prime Minister has nothing to do with the decade commanded by his predecessor, but I think Mr Brown really has convinced himself that he is not implicated. In this he is, I think, weirdly, sincere.
Somewhere in this strange mind has arisen an idea so palpably absurd when articulated that he has never articulated it, maybe even to himself: but it drives the way he feels about the past. It is the idea that he was somehow not there, or not completely there, from 1997 to 2007: just a sort of hostage, mute witness to a decade he neither willed nor bears responsibility for. To such an imagination, the stink of rotten fish left by his predecessor beneath the sofa cushions at Downing Street can be greeted almost triumphantly, vindicating rather than indicting him.
In any court of law or public opinion, every kind of hole can be blown in this defence, not least because some of the funding stink is more recent than that; but on the psychatrist's couch I suspect Mr Brown's sense of alienation from his own inheritance has — for him — an emotional logic.
But, really, how much time have we left, or to spare, to deconstruct the mind of Gordon Brown? The world has seen half-crazy leaders before, and their oddness has sometimes been a source of genius and strength. It's the mean-spirited incompetence on display this week that so dismays.
Benjamin Disraeli was never far from scandal, and lucky. David Lloyd George was as slippery as they come (“You must help me, Maggie. If I get out of this I give you my oath you shall never have to help me again,” he said to his wife, asking her to lie on oath in court so he could escape the charge of adultery). The words “Cook County” will always signal discredit for John F. Kennedy. And Lyndon Baines Johnson and Richard Nixon were not straight men. But these were world leaders of whom — approve or disapprove — we cannot accuse of lacking great plans for mankind. In the watches of the night each must have consoled himself that, if the means were disreputable, the end at least was noble.
But for what noble end does Mr Brown's Government exist? Where are those great missions in whose cause big men grow impatient of the proprieties? It isn't, in the end, the lying and cheating I cannot forgive. It is the lying and cheating to no purpose beyond daily, weekly survival. When seized with some urgent national purpose, we may all be tempted to take short cuts. But Brown's people are cutting corners with nowhere to go. That is the real tragedy.
Where is "Spitting Image" when we need it?
Sue B, Pontypridd, Wales
I do hope the taxman is keeping an eye on all this, we wouldn't want the Inland Revenue being investigated by the police now, would we.
Ex-Labour supporter, Essex, UK
It helps the Liebour cause to call it 'pathetic'. But, this is not incompetence, it's corruption on a governmental scale.
Rob, Isle of Wight,
As all the recent scandals appear to involve Friends of Israel, I and everyone else will assume that the same thing goes on in all political parties, on both sides of the Atlantic.
joe miles, glasgow, scotland
Shame about the cheap jibe at Robert Maxwell, who is not here to defend himself.
Maxwell had more guts in his little finger than the bunch of fourth raters, so ably described by Mathew Parris
Peter Lewin, Northwood Middlesex, UK
Not sure the last writer has it right. I don't recall MP as a failed MP but as rather a good one, and - moreover - one who has been as remarkably gentle over the past decade towards Labour as he has been unsparing of his own (erstwhile) party. But he's absolutely on the money here: incompetence in support of the banal is an unedifying spectacle, particularly when fed by the bile of an enforced wait for the top job.
Michael Preston, Orangeburg, New York
Great piece of writing, Matthew - reminiscent of the late Bernard Levin at his excoriating best. More of the same please....
Michael Dwyer, Pattaya - Jomtien, Thailand
Blame the Tories ! That is the last resort of a desperate Labour supporter - but it is trotted out whenever the government is found to be sleazy and incompetence. And its trotted out like a parent excusing the behaviour of a delinquent offspring.
"Well they can't help doing this trifle misdeed. After all it was 18 years of Tory rule that made them do it !"
Humbug ! The political donations legislation was introduced to clobber the opposition parties but not to damage Union patronage to Labour.
So these laws didn't apply to Labour ? After all , isn't this the party of the people - whiter than white ?
With dodgy donations, Northern Rock and the missing CDs - the Prime Minister has 25 million reasons to look earthquakingly glum from now on !
David, Swindon, Wiltshire
"Daily, weekly survival" - that says it all. So desperate to stay in power not for the good of the country but for their own bloated ambitions; Ministers leap to hasty apologies only so they can distance themselves from blame as rapidly as possible. Darling sought to lay ALL blame for HMRC's lost discs on one very junior official - that was grossly unjust and he should now do the honourable thing and apologise before resigning. Brown and others hoped that their hapless General Secretary's resignation would contain the blame for 'concealed donors'. As soon as it is clear that others had knowledge and thus culpability, all those around Brown who so readily went along with that sacrificial lamb scam should also do the honourable thing. They will not of course. It seems clear that Labour ministers prefer the standards of personal accountability and integrity of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner than the evidently much higher standards of the now former Chairman of Revenue & Customs
Terry Byrne, Shenfield, UK
So what are you saying Mr Parris?
That the Conservatives will be so much better in these matters - you at least will manage to cover up?
Bravo I look forward to seeing you in power then!!!!!!!!!!
Esther Phillips, Guildford,
The problem with any article written by Matthew Parris about this Government is that he's totally partial in his views and comments.
Whilst there is truth in what he says, (I'm no supporter of this Government) it is always so heavily coloured by his own political prejudices which slightly ruins it’s appeal for me.
David, Brighton, UK
One may wonder whether these donations count as charitable gifts, and, if so, to which of the real and proxy donors any tax deduction may be attributed?
dr venables preller, Warminster, UK
K Philips - let us not confuse who is in government - for today, anyway.
The Conservatives are the Opposition, remember?
And as Opposition, it is their function to oppose and hang the government out to dry. And, thank God, we have our Opposition back in time.
Pro Labour BBC and most of the same media have been attacking Cameron all along, in case you have slept through it. And this is not even with Cameron in No.10.
It is right that the media keeps the government of the day on its toes. But it wrong if it decides to take sides blindly and do irreparable damage to this country.
As for Lord Ashcroft, apart from donating generously (no big secret) to the Conservatives, what has he done wrong? Except not to bankroll with Labour.
Brings water to the eyes, doesn't it, Labour?
L. Stewart, Cranbrook, Kent
What a great piece of writing. And it would be funny were the whole thing just a Whitehall farce.
The sadness is that this third-rate Prime Minister, and the last ten years of re-shuffling the same old second-rate ministers, leaves this once great country with a government filled with familiar faces who have mostly under-performed.
For example, John Reid had nine different ministerial portfolios in nine years. At least he gave me a feeling of confidence.
This did not happen during the Tory years because there was a much larger pool of talent among the MPs.
Of course, Gordon Brown has some new blood. But there are too many duds whose competence was not proven in past years - Geoff Hoon, for example (or Buff Hoon when he was Defence Secretary).
This administration has embarrassed itself with its pathetic inefficiency and lack of moral fibre. Sadly, now it is embarrassing the country such that we are surely a laughing stock internationally. Time for a change.
Lester May, London, England
alas for new labour, the public have seen through the PM's bogus image. We were given to think that we were getting Captain Mainwairing , but fetched up with Hannibal Lector!
Philip Hall, Wirral,
'Mean spirited incompetence' yes but an also arrogance soaked in sanctimonious `religious conviction. Blair says still that he did 'What was right' 'in Iraq even though all intelligent opinion was against him. What's intellegence compared to the will of God ? Brown has the same quiet ,blinkered ,arrogance justified by religious faith. He is necessarily deluded by his need to always be on the side of the angels. It seems he has the ability to detach from his own actions when they do not fit the picture. Where was he during the Iraq debates? Simply not there.This shabby affair exposes the hypocrisy of a man of straw hiding his flaws behind his 'deep conviction' Perhaps it's time that we had a leader who reflected the religious scepticism of the majority population and not these crazed moralising zealots.Last thought -who would want Brown as a friend?
david, Uzes, France
I think you'll find Matthew, that this lot don't care. They'll do exactly what they like with as much incompetence as they like because they're there for the next two years, ( and possibly longer with the immigrant vote), and there's nothing, anyone observing the corruption, can do about it.
Judy , Liverpool, england
Superb piece. Right on the money, Matthew.
Ian Lyness, Boulder, C0, USA
As Chancellor for the past 10 years, I believe Gordon Brown would have been aware of every penny donated to the labour party and who donated it.
Trisha Godfrey, Chester, UK
So the problem with the latest funding crisis is ... that it is so "low-grade", so "inconsequential". The problem with Brown is ... er, that he "volunteers" the opinion that it was unlawful. And your point is?
William, London,
Long before Gordon Brown became PM, English rugby and soccer had clearly demonstrated the futility of promoting former number 2s to the top job.
Yet the British public were so fed up with GB's predecessor - as arguably happened with Sven etc - that the basic truism was overlooked, and a great deal of turmoil and delay is now inevitable until the right quality of political leadership for the country hopefully emerges.
Peter J Hinton-Green, Johannesburg, South Africa
Matthew you are correct in your observations of comrade Brown & Co but lets get real, this government treats the electorate with more contempt and arrogance than any in modern history. They only engage with us at election time, and are convinced in their minds they aren’t required to abide by any rules or laws even of their own making. I feel it comes down to this, when a PM can get away with taking the country into an illegal war, then they must believe they can do anything they like without question. At least Mr Bean made you laugh; this guy makes cry with despair.
Michael, Sheffield,
Bad luck for New Labour that the public have seen through the sham of the PM.s image! We were offered Captain Mainwairing and fetched up with Hannibal Lecter!
Philip Hall, Wirral,
I couldn't agree more and this morning called for Brown to be <a href="http://adrianwarnock.com/2007/12/time-to-put-stop-to-brown.html">fired</a>
Adrian Warnock, London, UK
If readers can't forgive Gordon Brown for his very selfish and cowardly behaviour even now, take care how loud you complain because apparently, Gordon in his wisdom believes that Ed Balls would be a suitable candidate as Prime Minister
when he steps down (or is pushed).
Gordon being a Scot will be able to return over the border with his massively increased pension package and giggle at the results, no doubt exactly as the Blairs and Prescotts are doing right now.
Ken.H, Harrow,
In the end I don't agree. Yes they are small. But petty corruption is the best kind. The great tragedies of the 20th century were perpetrated by rotten people with BIG ideas (I do not mean Nixon or Johnson). This lot will do no great harm. When they are shuffled off stage by the British people there will be some sad personal stories to tell but the word tragedy should be reserved for bigger things. The party is tired and needs to be in opposition. This is what tired governments look like. Brown helped move the party from doctrinaire socialism - that was a big deal.
Simon Wagstaffe, Prince George, Canada
What , precisely, are the duties of the Labour Party Treasurer. He didn't know about the loans and he didn't know about these "gifts". Has he not wondered why nobody seems to tell him things? Why has he not resigned, if not for culpability, at least for self respect?
A. Parkin, Beverley, UK
I think I get your drift, but what makes you think any alternative government will be any better? After all, if this lot can suddenly change to a pack of incompetents overnight, the same might just as well happen to their successors. Maybe you have illuminated a momentary manifestation of what is actually a long run trend of the increasing corruption of British politics. I would say, indeed, that it is inevitable, given the huge amounts of money that certain people are acquiring in this country, the delineation of a class of super rich, and the comparatively modest remuneration given to MPs.
Henry Percy, London, UK
Gordon Brown a 'hostage and mute witness to a decade'... of economic success unrivalled in Europe and well past the living memory of Mathew Paris.
e parkinson, liverpool,
You were a politician I seem to rember and what did you do to make the country a better place to live in not a lo,t your claim to fame was taking part in a documentry living on the dole.Gorden brown has changed this counrty for the better over the last 10 years ,and if you write him off now it will be a big mistake on your part and daves as well.
c wills, lincolnshire, uk
Matthew:
"We're not talking the Old Bailey here; not even Crown Court. We're talking Woking Magistrates' Court on a wet winter Tuesday"
Absolutely devastating, on reading this I blew my coffee over my keyboard. Brilliant article, sums it all up for me. Thanks
David, Brighton, UK
Mathew Parris has eloquently and aptly addressed the current political scenario in "they can't even cook their own books".
It is obvoius from what we can decipher that there has been a breach of the law passed during the Tony Blairs time. Instead of addressing the illegal acts carried out by the "second rate ministers and third rate Prime minister", they are talking and trying to bring in further legislation to address the matter. For what purpose?, There is some form of cheekyness these polticians have and they think and behave that they are above the law and if necessary bring in another law to overcome their incompetence. In the midst of all this have you seen the Prime Minister's wife has raised the question of education and the youngsters should be able to read. Is this a step for future generation to check whether the politicians are abiding by the law their government pass for the nation.
T.N Visvendran, Milton Keynes, Bucks
A fine piece Matthew, and I bet you enjoyed having a go at that sad apologist, Michael White, this morning !!
tim bull, Northampton,
You can write. but that is all. put your achievements against the best and longes t serving Chancellor and I know who serves the nation better
gerald cochrane, north walsham, Norfolk
Last year I predicted to a Blairite friend of mine that Gordon Brown would never become Prime Minister. So far I have been proved right as, what we have on display is a Prime Incompetent.
Charles, Helsinki,
For a denial to be plausible it has to be believable. What's the difference between taking money from the till and picking it up from the floor? Well if you happen to work around the area of Westminster... not a lot. If a fire wall was created to separate givers and receivers, and letters of thanks emanated from the finance office, do we forgive the arrogance of the individual who knows the money is only given to buy influence... but "I" cannot be bought? My God! Before you know it they will be using tax revenue to fund their campaigns!
Douglas Miller, Fulham, London
The eagerness of Mr Bean to play the blame game with colleagues is symptomatic of the gutless attitude that pervades administrative government - local and national. One would expect politicos - in particular those that consider themselves part of the elite - as Mr Bean with his haughty hue surely does - would have risen above that culture. Sadly not - the sooner he shuffles off the better for all of us.
Bradley, london,
It seems to be the same old routine:-
1) Scandal / incompetence reported in the media
2) Labour tries to minimise scope - 'junior official' , 'one one person knew', etc
3) After 1-2 days this front unravels
4) Gordon orders a review and denies all knowledge.
5) Miscellaneous ministers paraded on TV and radio - begin comments with "Gordon knew nothing, and neither did I". Tries to pin blame on 'pre-Gordon (as PM) era'
6) Media gets bored after a week or two; public more cynical
7) New scandal then emerges, and return to step 1)
When do these people get to worry about running the country, and does anyone really believe they're competent?
Rob, Birmingham, UK
JJ in Cambs is so right. Where is the debate in this country about the Boundary Commission. This goes right to the heart of why we feel so disenfranchised and ineffective as an electorate. Imagine the directions this country would be taking if votes really counted. We would not be wasting all this time, this money (our money and our future pensions) and we would be shaping our country in the form the WE want it.
As things stand, Matthew Parris is right in the sense that we have a mediocre - the most mediocre government flailing around with the sole aim of self interest. No nobility, nothing to admire, nobody to draw inspiration from.
An electoral system that allows such dross to rise to the top is THE key issue of our time - an effective electoral system is THE key enabler from which all our wishes can follow. That enabler no longer works and demands severe remedial action this side of the next election.
Matthew, please get it on the agenda and fully into the public eye.
Mark Stallard, Cardiff,
The point you raise of Brown deflecting blame is all too true. My concern is that the general public is yet to wake up fully to Brown's incompetence. He tells us that a single junior official was to blame for the HMRC confidentiality breach, a single Labour bod arranged the dodgy donations. On Northern Rock, the regulatory system he himself put in place failed (separation of the FSA from the BoE left the latter to carry the financial can but no power to prevent the crisis). Brown lorded over Foot and Mouth: a few days later Gordie had fixed it...except he hadn't and he hasn't mentioned it since. We still read of Brown's success as chancellor: stability, prudence etc - but the legacy is massive govt borrowing/debt after a long period of growth (a recipe for a trip to the IMF) and a failed regulatory model. Everyone blames Darling - but Brown put us here. He may have had a hard time of it recently, but to my mind he is yet to be truely fingered.
nigel somerville, abingdon,
600k to persuade Govt to allow a 60m property development that had been previously knocked back? surely not, surely not in Jolly old Engerland. but then suddenly with the collective prolapse in the Labour party, surely yes. And Brown trying so hard to glide, statesman like, above it... sadly tho a dodo is a flightless bird and of course its incredibly hard when one of your wings (if not both) has a great clunking fist at the end of it.
corruption was a indemnic part of stalins era ...and incompetance and niavety is at the soul of Mr Bea....I mean Mr Brown....
zugerman, zurich, switzerland
You enjoyed writing that! Nails and heads come to mind. Keep up the good work, please.
Charles Bockett-Pugh, Sandhurst,
Bloody inflation around the world means that none of us are getting our moneys worth when we hire these idiots.
Don't you poms start feeling special , you're not the only ones with the idiots running the nuthouse...
Udo , melbourne, Australia
K Philips .... the media in general, and particularly the BBC, seldom do anything but denigrate Conservative leaders and with far less cause than the current 'attention' being paid to Brown.
Blair got away with so much for so long precisely because the media treated him and his dodgy practices so lightly.
You are quite right, of course, when Cameron becomes Prime Minister the media will 'turn' on him - because iIt has an in-built bias towards Labour.
Donna Walker, Effingham, Surrey
Matthew, you're on the right tack when you talk about daily and weekly survival being the government's objective. It goes a bit further than that, I suggest: it's a desire to enrich themselves financially and to place themselves at the head of the table, and they do all this through trickery and deception.
MarkS, Leeds,
Mattehew, may I repeat a name into your ear? Lord Ashcroft, Lord Ashcroft, Lord Ashcroft. I am sure you could mount a sturdy defence of this dubious figure on the grounds that a dubious Tory is acceptable.
Dectora, London, UK
Surely the most important thing about Mr Bean is that he isn't Frank Spencer. He's a caricature of everyman (and a more than usually creative and logical everyman, to boot).
What are we to make of opposition politicians and journalists who, given an open goal and days in which to think up a half-decent insult, unfailingly pick the wrong icon?
Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK
For once I nearly agree with Parris. This crowd can't hold a candle to the Tories, who of course had their shabby little Hamiltons and Riddicks and Tredinnicks with their manila envelopes, but also were able to arrange high level, serious corruption then cover their tracks with enormous skill and the complicity of the press, who gave Thatcher the easiest ride of any PM in history. We're still trying to address the Saudi bribes and will have to rely on America to finally sort that one out. K.Philips is right - failed Tory MPs (are their any other sort?) have selective memories. Fortunately the electorate's memory is more reliable - and that's what riles Parris, we remember what he was and what his crowd got away with.
eric campbell, harrogate, uk
It is looking very much as though a solidly efficient and completely impartial police investigation could dismantle the Nu Labour Party for the next decade. The problem is will the investigating officers be allowed to get on with their job without interference? That was not the case with the Cash For Honours matter, but it is always likely that further information regarding those allegations at may now emerge, and of course the decision taken by the CPS/DPP that there was insufficent evidence to mount a proscution, can always be reviewed.
Robert El-Cid, Hull., East Yorks.,
"A tale of spivvy incompetence: a big stage, and a cast of insects. Second-rate ministers flanking a third-rate Prime Minister waited upon by fourth-rate courtiers sending out the begging bowl to fifth-rate sleeve-tuggers who aren't even very rich. At Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, that “Mr Bean†gibe said it all."
So how does Matthew Parris rate the media who have allowed Labour unchecked to skew the voting structure of the UK. The Boundary Commission has been ignored in its quest to undo Labour's current unfair 60 seat advantage. The media should call to make the Boundary Commisssion able to act (it can only advise government) - make the BC independent and give it powers.
jj, Cambs, UK
Its always money with socialists sad but true and as you say they are not clever enough to be good crooks.
mitch, wolverhampton, England
Or, as Harold Shand so memorably put it in The Long Good Friday - 'All this anarchy for five poxy grand?'
Mike Routhorn, Weston,
Blair was a much better scam artist than Brown. He managed to sell peerages for millions and get away with it. This lot are going to be banged up for a few quid.
John Small, Faversham, UK
APOLOGY
I have been known to compare the Prime Minister with the late Mr Huckleberry Finn, famous for saying:
"I reckon a body that ups and tells the truth when he is in a tight place is taking considerable many resks, though I ain't had no experience, and can't say for certain; but it looks so to me, anyway; and yet here's a case where I'm blest if it don't look to me like the truth is better and actuly safer than a lie. I must lay it by in my mind, and think it over some time or other, it's so kind of strange and unregular. I never see nothing like it. Well, I says to myself at last, I'm a-going to chance it; I'll up and tell the truth this time, though it does seem most like setting down on a kag of powder and touching it off just to see where you'll go to."
It is now clear that the comparison is unfair. May I take this opportunity to express my sincere regret to Mr Finn's estate.
David Moss, London, UK
Never has Mathew Parirsh been so aggressive, or so right.
Fred Keeling, Almunecar, Spain
In reply to K Philips, the point is that it isn't happening to Cameron. It is happening to Brown who is the Prime Minister and head of the government of the day. No-one can honestly say that the media give the Conservatives an easy ride, we are all familiar with the image of John Redwood mouthing the Welsh anthem badly not because it has stuck in the national conscience but because the media keep forcing it back onto the screens. But the sleaze of the nineties whose aim was personal enrichment and possibly attempts to alterthe course of government from outside is different from what is happening now.
What we now see is the governing party itself, government as a whole, taking the money. Collective dishonesty of a sort that can potentially lead to an influence over policy across the various departments rather than just in a bit of one department.
It isn't unfair for the media to point out Labour's broken the rules it recently wrote - and in the aftermath of their last infraction.
Philip Stobbart, London,
You can bet your life that if all this had been happening in an absolutely identical fashion with David Cameron and donors to the Tory Party we wouldn't be hearing a single squeak about it from the bile-ridden Parris ... But then he always was so predictable, as is the wont of a failed one-time Tory MP.
Having said that, once Dave is in No. 10 it will be only a matter of time before the media turns on him too ... just wait and see.
K Philips, London, UK