SIR – The confidence or rather lack of it in UK politics and politicians alike is being further undermined by the latest constitutional crisis about the latest MP to be convicted over expenses.

Most ordinary people believe there should be no question whatsoever of anyone in that position having the option of remaining in Parliament, regardless of how lenient a sentence a judge may pass.

Once again, this situation shows the dangers of having no proper set of rules, eg a written constitution to cover all such eventualities, as all we have at the moment is the Representation of the People Act amended from time to time which is surely long overdue for revision.

However, this matter is only about the House of Commons. What of the House of Lords, where despite several members having very serious criminal records, having served custodial sentences for arson, perjury or death by careless driving, etc, no party leader ever calls for them to be removed as they do in relation to the disgraced MP for Barnsley Central.

This again is a ‘double standard’, unacceptable to the law-abiding taxpayer.

With other MPs and peers yet to be dealt with by the courts, Parliament must give this matter some urgent consideration or public confidence will never return.

D S Boyes, Rodley Lane, Leeds