Sturgeon sorry

By apologising to Holyrood, Nicola Sturgeon will not only have recovered her credibility but possibly enhanced it by entering that very select group in her world who have uttered the hardest word. The downside for her party, however, is that the First Minister's tendency to let his mouth, rather than his ears, have first "shotty" on any given occasion, now makes him look rather stupid given her reflection.

"Never the statesman Salmond" may just have been outmanoeuvred by his very clever deputy. He may take some solace in knowing, unlike him, the lady possesses the ability to apologise.

LAWRENCE FRASER

Mayne Road

Elgin

Nicola Sturgeon appears to have taken Michael Kelly's advice in apologising in part for a letter written on behalf of a convicted fraudster (your report, 25 February). On the same day it was announced that the SNP had broken no rules in holding a fundraising dinner in Holyrood. Was it worth the media frenzy of the past fortnight?

I seem to remember the same furore engulfing former Tory leader David McLetchie over a few claims made for taxi fares. On the other hand, the current revelations regarding the expenses of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport officials involving Labour councillors have not been subject to the same media intensity.

When it comes to a political scandal is it one rule for Labour and another for politicians in other parties?

SOPHIE L ANDERSON

Marchmont Road

Edinburgh