Letter: Family values, political peccadilloes

Sir: Your leading article today touched on the 'hostages to fortune' argument in the Tim Yeo case. Since so many MPs have private matters, not affecting public office, that they wish to keep private, calling on a minister to resign whenever such a thing comes out puts the government in the power of the tabloid press, which can expose the person whenever it suits them. Is that wise?

The stresses of House of Commons life have led to many marriage breakdowns. If a minister leaves his wife for another woman that is not a resigning matter, but if he wishes to stay with his wife he is called upon to resign. Is that logical? I find the activities of the Child Support Agency a much greater affront to moral principles and to the welfare of families than Mr Yeo's actions.

Yours sincerely,

GRAHAM DANE

Edinburgh

29 December