IVAN SHENKMAN
London W8

Sir, Mark Oaten has resigned from his frontbench position and apologised for the “embarrassment” caused to his family, friends and the Liberal Democrat Party — well he might.

What about an apology to the gay community? Yet again, an MP has shown that he considers a gay sex life as something to be ashamed about, something to hide and something to be conducted with either rent boys or in public toilets. This image does a grave disservice to normal gay people who live normal lives that include partners of the same sex.

It is time MPs understood that on this issue the public expects honesty and decency from our leaders. We certainly do not expect, of all parties, a Liberal Democrat to have such an antiquated and deeply damaging attitude to gay sex.

Given that approximately 10 per cent of people are now known to be wholly or mainly homosexual, where are the 40 or so closeted MPs hiding? It’s time they all came clean.

JEREMY NORMAN
London SW1

Sir, Why is Mark Oaten in disgrace? It can’t be for homosexuality. That is no longer considered disgraceful. It is not for consorting with a prostitute. Many MPs do that. One even used a researcher’s pass to get a prostitute into the House. It is not for cheating on his wife. There would be a good many empty seats in the House if that were the case.

Did he get drunk, take money in envelopes, fiddle the honours system, persuade his secretary to take the rap for his drunk driving, try to get the boys murdered? Apparently none of these things. So what is left?

ROY HYDE
Cheltenham, Glos

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