Letter: How fish stink

WHILE I agree with Patricia Clough's article 'Italians face the end of the good life' (28 February), I would like to add that ordinary Italians who appear to be hypocritical in condemning our politicians are victims of their corruption; an unemployed youth who uses a raccomandazione to get a job is desperate, not greedy. We have a saying, 'the fish stinks from the head'.

However, if a few disgraced officials feel enough shame to commit suicide, there is hope. Without shame there can be no morality.

Mario Laurenza

Enfield, Middlesex