Allason hoist
Sir: With his usual accuracy, the tiresome Rupert Allason MP misses the point of my letter about scoundrelly MPs who use the Commons to defame private citizens, safe in the knowledge that they cannot be sued for libel or slander.
That is a scandal of privileges which should be ended. If, instead of abusing me (Letters, March 9), Allason and other MPs were to support me, then he might have a greater chance of success when he issues his customary writs against newspapers which question his parliamentary perfor- mance.
His libel actions against me and Richard Stott, the editor of Today newspaper, were thrown out by Mr Justice Owen because parliamentary privilege (Mason's, not ours, as he claims) prevented the Today legal team from bringing evidence of his behaviour in the Commons and thus unjustly deprived us of our defence.
As the Times law report put it: 'As it seemed to his Lordship, as a Member of Parliament the plaintiff was able to enjoy the benefits of parliamentary privilege, as the benefits of parliamentary privilege were there for him as well as for the whole of Parliament. However, as a member he had to take the ill consequence together with the good consequence.'
Allason was, as it were, hoist with his own privilege, and that's what he's griping about.
Joe Haines 1 South Frith,
Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
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