The press are the first to call for the resignation of public figures at the slightest hint of wrong-doing and in some cases honest misjudgements. For the editors of the Express and Star not to resign having intentionally misled the entire nation is an example of the greatest possible hypocrisy.

What is worse is that cases like this are surely just the tip of the iceberg and the lack of consequences for the perpetrators means there is no real incentive for it to stop.

Who has any control over standards in the press in this country? I've just heard that the editor of the Express is a member of the Press Complaints Commission. What a joke.

Will the other papers do what they would do with any other public figures and hound them out of their jobs over the next few days? Or will they look after their own and skirt over it quickly?

Tom, London,

What happens if, at a later date, Madeleine's body is found and the newspapers are vindicated?

Clive Burghard LANCING, LANCING, ENGLAND

My heart has gone out to the McCanns from the beginning, when the tragedy first occurred. Our British Press and media have so much to answer for. It seems that "anything goes", print and be damned. To hell with the heartache and misery their stories and articles cause, selling newspapers is all that counts.
The McCanns have the money (and I am extremely glad for them) to take action against the perpetrators of these horrible articles, many others don't and have to suffer in silence. Their voices too small to be heard.
I wish them luck and pray that one day they will find their beautiful little girl.

jane Doran-Webb, Riberac, France

The decision to go to law at this time while lucrative and effective does somewhat anticipate the outcome of the police investigation. This must be another coincidence into which nothing should be read.

David, Leicester, UK

I hope the papers extend the same consideration to Fiona and her family, after some of the terribly slanted and hurtful stories they have printed about them since Scarlett died. They too have enough on their plates to cope with, plus are obviously a loving family suffering a terrible unasked for tragedy.

Sarah, Wales, UK

i was so incensed with the coverage of those papers that i refused to allow myself to buy them. no couple desrves that sort of victimisation, my heart cried out for mr and mrs mccann, however did they cope. just to have a child taken away in these circumstances must be horrendous in itself, but then to have all the publicity and these incensitive people out there saying all the horrible things , it is a good job that they have the love of a good family and those lovely twins to guide them through life. i do hope that they eventually find madeline then all these people will then too be sending apologies

irene, blackburn, lancashire

Words affect peoples lives !!!!

Ian Payne, WALSALL,