ONCE again, North Durham MP Kevan Jones (HAS, May 25) seems to want to set the agenda and control the Durham Miners’ Association (DMA).

On the question of the NUM Durham area having to de-register as a trade union, Mr Jones knows fine well that his attacks, which I believe were scurrilous and unfounded and which were made under cover of Parliamentary privilege, were the major factor in this decision following legal advice from our solicitors.

He now seems to want the DMA to disclose its business affairs to the public. What hypocrisy from a man who has constantly voted to exempt MPs’ expenses from public scrutiny.

The DMA’s business affairs are the property of its members, not that of Mr Jones or anyone else.

He would be better served by trying to clean up the mess he and his colleagues have caused by their expenses system in Parliament.

I also remind him that following a complaint from an MP (no prizes for guessing who), which led to an investigation into our affairs by the Ministry of Justice, the government department that oversees our affairs, we were given a clean bill of health. Again, I offer to discuss these issues in public debate with Mr Jones.

David Hopper, General Secretary, Durham Miners’ Association.

NORTH Durham MP Kevan Jones has finally admitted he voted to keep MPs’ expenses hidden (HAS, May 25). His excuse was to deny access to solicitors to correspondence on miners’ compensation matters.

Let’s expose some more hypocrisy from Mr Jones – who has constantly spoken out against our union solicitors, Thompsons.

In July 2006, Mr Jones said in Parliament: “I am here as an advocate from my constituents – many of whom are poor and vulnerable individuals and have been ripped off by unscrupulous solicitors using sharp practices in a firm that should know better. If the honourable gentleman wants to be associated with that firm of solicitors (Thompsons) he should feel free to be so, but I have no such wish.”

In Hansard, on May 22 last year, Mr Jones berated Thompsons as a firm that had plundered, been greedy, scammed and duped miners over compensation payments.

Then go onto the Electoral Commission website of donors to political parties. There listed are several donations of £350-a-year to Mr Jones’ North Durham Constituency Labour Party.

Guess who from? Thompson’s solicitors.

Does Mr Jones have any morals or scruples? Why does he not repay these donations to Thompsons, a firm he clearly detests?

AJ Cummings, Easington Miners’ Lodge Secretary, Easington Colliery, Co Durham.