WHAT the Panama Papers tell us is that corruption and hypocrisy within the ruling elites is a worldwide problem.

One could be forgiven for questioning the value of democracy, if such a thing actually exists. I think it is overdue we have the offence of bringing public office into disrepute. Anyone caught fiddling expenses or evading tax while serving the nation deserves to be declared unfit for public office and that should be for life potentially.

The only problematic aspect is who should bring charges against an individual and who should act in judgement.

The state is unfit for this purpose as it looks after its own.

The only people uncorrupted are the electorate and this whole procedure should not be used to fight political battles.

I am sure a solution can be found and is the only way the rising level of contempt felt by the electorate towards those in power can be halted or reversed.

Stuart Noyes, Vigo Road, Andover