I note with great interest that Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman had the grace to apologise 'for getting it wrong' when announcing the scrapping of the forest sell-off today.

Do I have your assurance that you will take this invaluable opportunity to do the same for your constituents in the Forest of Dean?

Perhaps an open letter published in the local free press and written in a humble and respectful tone, may go a little way towards restoring your possibly battered reputation in the locality.

– M.H. Coates.