SIR – I may be in a minority, but can feel some sympathy for the former MP’s or Peers who have either pleaded or been found guilty of wrong doing over past expenses claims.

For they were obviously drawn into a long standing culture of dishonesty which had existed for decades past, and received questionable advice from former colleagues about what was either permissible, or what they could get away with.

Such a system could only ever have operated with party leaders and Palace of Westminster authorities deliberately turning a blind eye.

In those circumstances, where so many are taking advantage, it must be difficult for the honest member not to be turned.

It appears that those few already condemned are mere ‘scapegoats’ for the rest, of whom dozens ought to have been arraigned beside them.

D S Boyes, Rodley Lane, Leeds