At the start of September, after four of its MPs missed the second reading and vote at Westminster on the Bedroom Tax Bill, the SNP was roundly criticised in the Scottish papers, including The Herald.

The Labour Party led the charge, describing the SNP MPs, absence as shameful.

On September 26, 15 Scottish Labour MPs missed the Westminster debate and vote on the fundamental issue of further military intervention in Iraq, and yet their absence received no criticism in the Scottish press, including The Herald.

D.Williamson,

3 Rosebery Place,

Dunbar.