I WAS shocked to see the shoddy way Caroline Lucas the Green Party MP for Brighton was treated at Prime Minister’s question time when she tried to ask a question on the flooding.

What kind of a democracy are we running here when the only Green Party MP is not permitted to ask a question on an environmental issue even when called upon at first to do so by the Speaker?

The Speaker’s conduct in this matter also fell well below the standard we have come to expect.

Was it an abuse of his position to make her sit down and stop talking after he had called her to speak?

There is a balance to be struck and this affair was poorly handled by the Speaker and by David Cameron.

The Speaker should have made the other MPs behave themselves.

Mr Cameron should simply not have risen to speak when he did.

They are both leaving themselves open to potential accusations of political bias by the Speaker acting in this way. The matter could rebound on them both.

Mr Cameron should also have answered her question.

He couldn’t because no one was permitted to hear it.

Don’t MPs realise how bad this makes them look on television? Or are they hoping we have all stopped watching because of their previous poor behaviour?

Nigel Boddy, Darlington.