I deplore any dishonesty concerning the claiming of expenses etc, but the barrage of abuse about Lord Hanningfield threatens to obscure the very real contribution he made to public life in Essex and beyond. In addition to his duties at Essex County Council and the House of Lords, he also served on the East of England Regional Assembly and played a crucial role in the European Union Committee of the Regions.

His whole life was devoted to public service and at times he was working seven days a week. Admittedly, his style wasn’t appreciated by everybody who worked with him, but there are few politicians who don’t rub someone up the wrong way!

I was able to observe him in a number of his roles and was impressed with his dedication and stamina.

As I said, there is no excuse for fiddling expenses and public servants have a higher responsibility to be accountable to the people they represent, but please don’t lose sight of the fact that the other side of Lord Hanningfield’s coin was that he served the people of Essex over many years at the expense of a private life and a “normal”

career.

I would hope his return to the House of Lords will aid his rehabilitation and enable him, once again, to serve the community.

Robin Rennie
Keelers Way
Great Horkesley