UNTIL recently, I doubt if many people had even heard of Caroline Flint, the former Europe Minister.

While we have been reading and hearing the news of ministers leaving the Cabinet, Ms Flint made the headlines by kicking up a row because she could not get into it.

The MPs’ expenses scandal has shown the sheer gluttony of many of our so-called parliamentarians, but Ms Flint’s behaviour paints another picture, not untypical, of the self-serving ambitious nature within the Westminster village.

Only a day before, she was publicly supporting Gordon Brown – presumably to reinforce in her mind at least that she should be elevated to Cabinet minister status.

As soon as she realised that it was not to be, she launched a devastating feminist assault on the battered Prime Minister, accusing him of using her as “female window dressing” in a “two-tier Government”.

Thus, in 24 hours, a metamorphose from ardent supporter of the PM to a venomous, satin-dressed lady in red (in national newspaper pictures from a magazine shoot).

Ms Flint is the epitome of what is wrong with today’s politicians; self before nation, personal advantage above the many disadvantaged – and breathtaking insincerity.

Ian Sadler, Darlington.