THE Secretary of State for Health proposes that those allegedly responsible for the mind-boggling layer upon layer of apparent incompetence with respect to the CQC scandal should face sanctions, such as the forfeiture of their pensions.

Big deal. If, after due legal process, preferably without further shenanigans, they are found guilty, they should sacrifice a very great deal more than that, such as their freedom, and for considerable time.

Those, however, pitiful in one sense, who directly, or indirectly, cover up gross medical negligence – as claimed in this case – in order to save their own skins or those of colleagues, are the lowest of the lowest of the low, the pits, completely beyond the pale, and should be treated as such.

While on the subject, how about a few thousand ‘historical’ – to use the buzzword – prosecutions, but we all know it will never happen, don’t we?

DAVID DIMENT, Riverside Court, Oxford