No clarity over donations

A squalid end to a sordid affair. By refusing to give Wendy Alexander a tiny slap on the wrist, the Scottish Parliament brings further doubt on the integrity of politicians. MSPs have condoned admitted law-breaking. The flouting of the parliament's rules is now acceptable.

These people are in parliament partly to pass legislation, which they expect the population to respect. How can we, now, do so when they blatantly ignore the rules that they, themselves, passed? No amount of sophistry can obscure the facts: Ms Alexander did break the law and did break the rules. That the Electoral Commission, procurators fiscal and the police failed, miserably, in their duty is no excuse. The Standards Commissioner, alone, has come out of this debacle with any honour



JOHN SCOTT ROY

Blenheim Court

Kilsyth, Stirlingshire