I DON’T want to appear suspicious but I think the Echo was being mischievous giving such a prominent position and a big bold headline to the report about Chancellor Rishi Sunak, requesting permission to have a swimming pool and tennis court installed at his home near Northallerton (Echo, June 23).

Voters of Darlington please ignore this. I assume the Chancellor is using his own money for the project and in spending this is creating welcome employment for the contractors who will then hopefully be paying income tax into the Treasury.

Is the project really of public interest to warrant such a headline?

I had a new roof put on my house in 2020 (after 49 years) but it didn’t make the papers – Rishi just has more money than me and as he can’t take it with him when he departs this earth he does right to spend it.

Mike Taylor, Darlington.