Europe's sleaze merchants
From Mr Victor Black Sir: Your leading article (29 January) right- ly draws attention to the different media reactions to Labour sleaze when compared to what John Major had to endure.
But to equate British corruption with European is, so far, unjustified, although we are on a slippery slope. When one remem- bers that a Labour minister under Attlee resigned over accepting a box of cigars, we have come some way. But we have sent to jail a man who lied about his hotel bill and considered disgraced a man of whom it was alleged he took a few thousand pounds in bribes and was extravagant in the Paris Ritz restaurant. Peter Mandelson's resignation was about borrowing money, not for any criminal act; nor has anything yet been proved against Geoffrey Robinson. The corruption across the Channel is of a different order altogether, involving mil- lions, murder, paedophile rings, and includes presidents and prime ministers. However, what is most different are public attitudes, as anyone with regular experience of discussing such matters across Europe will confirm. They are considered unsur- prising and cause a shrug of the shoulders, while here there is still real concern.
The recent statement by the son of a dis- graced Italian prime minister that corrup- tion is justified in a good political cause shows an amazing difference in outlook.
As a Tory, I cannot hide a certain glee Just now but do not yet see a situation here remotely similar to the Continent.
Victor Black
Coln Rogers, Gloucestershire
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