IN the aftermath of the tragedy arising from bail being given to rapist Simon Heaton, MP Greg Pope says ‘we suffer from mad judge disease’ and Justice Minister Jack Straw uses his favourite terminology, ‘It’s unusual.’

Do they not know the cross- party Justice Committee of MPs says the prison population should be cut by a third with thousands of criminals given community punishment and courts should only regard sending offenders to prison as a last resort? (LT, January 14).

Our local MPs should read the Telegraph and find out what’s going on at Westminster.

A SEDGWICK, Lyndhurst Avenue, Blackburn.