I AM always pleased when readers respond to my own either in a newspaper itself and also in the post. My letter of Dec 30 seems to have ruffled the feathers of several staunch supporters of the Conservative party, including one whom accused me of a vendetta against the party.

This is palpable nonsense. There are a number of decent and sensible Conservatives including Kenneth Clarke. Two former Test Valley Borough Councillors both now deceased, Don Bentall and Maurice Bigwood were true gentlemen and only too willing to help with an enquiry.

The Echo is to be congratulated on its stand against the machinations of the Hampshire Senate. Whilst my own MP Sir George Young has registered some unspecified objections other Tories such as Sir Peter Viggers (Gosport) and Michael Mates (East Hampshire) have told me they are fully in favour. Those Echo readers who are served by a Conservative MP should write to them asking how they can justify their support for this body.

RICHARD J KIDD, Andover.