By using the Channel crossings as a distraction, the Tories risk turning farce into tragedy

The breaking of Covid rules was no laughing matter, but the government’s attempts to evade responsibility have been pure farce, at least up to this point. Now they are adopting the extreme but characteristic strategy of playing to the extreme wing of the Conservative Party and targeting the small number of desperate and vulnerable people who try to cross the Channel in small boats for lack of appropriate ways of applying for refugee status.

The prime minister is seeking to escape the farce that is dragging him down by acting in a way that is likely to promote further tragedy.

James Dickie

Wiltshire

Why would Boris Johnson need to be warned by anyone else about that drinks party? Does he really give so little care and attention to the rules that pass across his desk and presumably require his signature?

Philip Mitchell

Winchester

Did Boris Johnson fail his comprehension tests at Eton? He signed a Brexit trade agreement that he later admits he didn’t understand, and then he set Covid rules that he needs someone else to explain to him. It’s clear his master at Eton was soft on him.

Roger Thomas

East Lothian

In my experience, partying tends to disturb the neighbours. Was that nice quiet Mr Sunak next door not aware of what was going on?

Ned Holt

Cheltenham

Expecting a civil servant like Sue Gray to tell us that the prime minister has been lying to parliament is like expecting the person who operates the scoreboard at Lord’s to be able to overrule the umpire. Nobody needs to wait for Sue Gray. Boris Johnson has already been sacked from two jobs for lying. Why would anyone ever believe it is he rather than Dominic Cummings who is telling the truth?

But it isn’t just Johnson we need to worry about. By subserviently lining up behind Johnson to defend the indefensible and tell us to “wait for Sue Gray”, his entire cabinet is desperately trying to suggest that the obvious isn’t obvious, and thereby associating themselves with his lies.

It isn’t just the partying private secretaries and special advisers who need to be fired; the entire stable needs to be cleaned out.

D. Maughan Brown

York

Your correspondent, Martin A Smith, has very properly highlighted the extent to which the BBC supports music across the nation (‘The positive influence of the BBC goes way beyond broadcasting’, Letters, 17 January). Sadly, however, it appears this government detests culture in general, and such events as the Last Night of the Proms in particular, all of which will turn to ash in its mission of destruction.

Michael Rosenthal

Address supplied

I am writing in response to a recent article by Kate Ng (‘Women’s health at risk due to rise in meat-free diets, scientist says’, 18 January), which stated that: “Young women who consume little to no red meat and dairy are at risk of developing vitamin deficiencies that could lead to health problems later in life”.

Many people grow up thinking that animal products like meat and dairy are essential elements of a balanced diet, but research shows we can, in fact, get all the nutrients that our bodies need without them.

Becoming vegan is actually a great opportunity for teens to learn more about eating well. Fruit, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, nuts and seeds are often found in vegan dishes and are important elements of any healthy diet. Making smart swaps is a key concept to well-planned vegan diets. Fortified foods, as well as kale, pak choi, okra, spring greens, dried figs, chia seeds and almonds, are good sources of calcium.

Beans, chickpeas, lentils, tofu, nuts and seeds provide iron, as well as protein and zinc. Adding foods rich in vitamin C to meals may help to absorb iron. For example, you could add a small glass of orange juice with iron-fortified cereals in the morning, pepper and pineapple to a tofu stir fry and broccoli to a lentil curry.

Without knowledge of healthy eating, anyone can be at risk of nutritional deficiencies. But armed with reliable information about vegan nutrition, a vegan diet can be healthy and safe for all stages of life.

Andrea Rymer

Dietitian, the Vegan Society

Hamish McRae (‘The markets don’t really care what happens to Boris Johnson’, 17 January) reports that the pound has gone up. No surprise. My wife has held for decades that the value of the pound is directly and inversely correlated with the performance of the England cricket team. Go check the record.

Colin Wright

Orpington