SHORTLY after the Deputy Prime Minister stepped down from his post, an internation-ally famous BBC employee commented that we would no longer witness the minister grappling with his grammar at the dispatch box.

I am not amused or alarmed when ministers grapple with their grammar. But I am terrorised by the fact that some people in positions of power, responsibility and trust have been allowed to trash the truth with impunity.

Now that the silver light of accountability has started to flicker in our society, one can only hope that once it reaches full power its rays will warm the seats of politicians and civil servants alike.

Mr F BRADLEY, Eastview Terrace, Blackburn