KENNETH Clarke has had a long career in which he held important posts both in government and in opposition. He has always performed in a very distinguished manner.

However in his present post as Justice Secretary he is a complete and utter disaster and not suited to the job at all.

Law and order has always been a strong point within the Conservative Party but with Mr Clarke at the helm of the Justice Department the exact opposite seems to be taking place. His very lenient attitude towards crime must be bringing smiles onto the faces of our criminal fraternity.

Even more of a disappointment is his attitude towards the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. This court puts the so-called rights of criminals above the rights of their victims. It undermines our own courts and the wishes of our elected parliament.

It is the Human Rights Act which allows the evil cleric Abu Hamza to remain in this country when the USA is calling for his extradition to face serious terrorist charges. In a time of severe financial restraint Hamza is kept in the prison at Bellmarsh at very considerable expense and Mr Clarke appears to have done nothing to expiate the dilatory European Court in order to get Hamza sent out of the country in accordance with the rulings of our own High Court and the then Home Secretary Jack Straw. Held in a so-called high security prison like Bellmarsh Hamza is still able to contact other extremists and to broadcast taped messages of hate to be put out on You Tube. To me this is an absolute disgrace and should be rectified immediately.

David Cameron should thank Ken Clarke for his previous good service to the country and to tell him that it is time for him to go. He should then appoint a new Justice Secretary who will be, as the electorate expect, tough on crime and more so on punishment and is not afraid to speak out against and even ignore the Strasbourg court.

R W SELWAY

Burden Close

Stratton St Margaret

Swindon