Tax benefits

Lord Ashcroft has finally admitted he is not paying full taxes in the UK (your report, 2 March), and yet continues to bankroll the Conservative Party to fight an election here. At the same time it emerges that eight major Labourite donors including Lord Paul are in the same position.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats will fight the imminent election using a donation of 2.4 million received from a convicted fraudster which the Electoral Commission decided they could keep as it was accepted "in good faith".

Doesn't it all make the auctioning of a private lunch with SNP politicians for a few thousand pounds look rather quaint and innocent in comparison?

GAVIN FLEMING

Grassmarket

Edinburgh