THE severely embarrassed and discredited former Communities Secretary Hazel Blears says she now apologises for the “firestorm” that surrounded her calculated departure from her Cabinet post (Echo, June 13) even though she played up to the storm by infamously wearing a “rock the boat” lapel badge in her desperate attempt to destabilise, or even end, Gordon Brown’s rocky leadership.

She now deeply “regrets” her actions which, alongside Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell’s resignation, caused so many problems for the Labour Party on the eve of the Euro elections.

I suggest she is not in the slightest sorry for her actions towards her own party and leader, but now realises the real own goal Labour’s disgruntled Cabinet jumpers scored by collapsing the party’s vote, thus opening the door for the election of two bitter rival BNP MEPs.

Both Ms Blear’s and Mr Purnell’s careers will be lucky to survive, or rebuilt, as a result of their selfish actions.

Mark Anderson, Middleton St George, near Darlington.