SIR – Gary Lorriman (T&A Letters, December 11) seems to have been a bit too hasty in swallowing the Conservative line that the Damian Green affair was just a smoke-screen to cover Government incompetence. If this were the case, it was clearly a complete waste of time and effort, because Mr Lorriman has seen right through it.

But if he had waited a few more days before making his accusation, he would have noticed that the matter suddenly vanished from the front pages and disappeared from the airwaves.

Looking for an explanation he might have then come across an under-reported comment by David Davies – one-time Shadow Home Secretary.

He was telling anyone who would listen that half the material passed on by Christopher Galley was too sensitive to make public. Once Gordon Brown and Jackie Smith were shown to be telling the truth, the news media lost interest even though the leaks did indeed refer to matters concerned with national security.

It was right, therefore, that the police took whatever action was necessary and the fact an MP had his home and offices searched gives some indication of just how serious the disclosures were.

Brian Holmans, Langley Road, Bingley