Sir – I had to check the masthead that Christopher Gray’s incredibly bitchy piece about Norman St John-Stevas was really in The Oxford Times (Gray Matter, March 15).

I had thought that double entendre articles about men who are gay were now a thing of the past. I was therefore particularly sad to see such a piece in The Oxford Times.

Norman St John-Stevas was one of the most talented politicians of his generation.

It should never be forgotten that as Leader of the House he revolutionised the way in which Parliament works with the introduction of the system of Select Committees.

Indeed as Leader of the House of Commons, he did much to try to ensure a proper balance between the Commons and Government.

Not always easy to achieve which was, I suspect, why he was eventually sacked from that post by Margaret Thatcher.

I don’t know what Norman St John-Stevas did to upset Mr Gray but judging by the tone of Mr Gray’s article, I am not surprised if Lord St John-Stevas cut him short!

Tony Baldry MP, House of Commons