DID former Culture Secretary Maria Miller jump or was she pushed? The timing of her resignation saved David Cameron from a testing meeting with the Conservative back bench 1922 Committee.

I think that Mr Cameron’s leadership of the Conservative Party is in jeopardy if the party does badly in the local government and European elections next month.

This will depend on the feedback Conservative canvassers receive on the doorstep and what electors think of his handling of the expenses situation following the critical report on Ms Miller.

Conservatives probably think that George Osborne has handled the portfolio he holds quite well and if electors think they could well succeed in the General Election they probably would have a better chance with a leader who was less accident-prone.

I suspect someone made it their business to tell Maria that she should offer to resign without delay, thus improving her chances with a new leader.

G Bulmer, Billingham.