In an attempt to derail the BBC from making a programme on child abuse in Islington care homes while she was the leader of Islington Council, Margaret Hodge, the children's minister, has called one of the victims "extremely disturbed".

This, she thought, would discredit him so his views would be ignored.

It turns out that many complaints of child abuse have been ignored during her leadership and these care homes have been used by paedophiles as rich picking grounds to satisfy their perversions.

When cornered, she had to apologise for calling the victim "extremely disturbed" but there are still two things that disturb me about Mrs Hodge.

Firstly, does she expect the victim of a child abuse case not to be disturbed?

Secondly, how could she think her apology would absolve her from her part of these terrible crimes that were committed during her watch?

As it happens, the victim put his experiences behind him and went on to obtain his PhD. I think he would make an excellent witness - again a misjudgement by Mrs Hodge.

She should do the honourable thing and resign before she causes any more embarrassment to her friends.

-NM Malta, Hove