The stench of hypocrisy surrounding the hacking affair is becoming overwhelming.

Just as the great British public refused to accept that its irresponsible borrowing could in any way have contributed to the banking collapse, rising indignation over phone hacking overlooks the fact that it was an insatiable appetite for scandal and tittle-tattle which fuelled the red tops’ unsavoury practices.

Alex Macintyre,

44 Thrums Avenue, Bishopbriggs.

In all this furore regarding News International, a telling phrase which I think is appropriate and I think our politicians apparently forgot is: “He who sups with the Devil needs a long spoon.”

Alan Stephen,

15 Beechlands Avenue,

Glasgow.