Adam Trimingham is absolutely correct in suggesting we have a right to expect high standards in public life (The Argus, February 27). The South East England Development Agency (Seeda) is responsible for administering a quarter of a billion pounds of taxpayers' money, to benefit the region's growth and prosperity.

In confusing his own private commercial interests and Seeda's, its chief executive, James Brathwaite, has at the very least demonstrated a level of judgement and decision-making we ought not to see in a role charged with such responsibility.

Last year, The Argus revealed the full range of Mr Brathwaite's extravagance. For instance, the extraordinary cost to the taxpayer of Mr Brathwaite's daily taxi bill - on average £260. Mr Brathwaite defends his decision to use taxis by claiming that the transport infrastructure is poor in the region and he needs to attend meetings constantly.

However, this spotlight on Mr Brathwaite is perhaps ultimately unhelpful as it obscures other issues. There is another more important discussion to be had about the value of Seeda itself.

What, if anything, is Seeda actually achieving? Is it, as some might suspect, a rather bloated, useless and out of control arm of an attempt at state intervention in the economy?

Is it based on an outmoded, 1970s belief, stemming from the Wilson years, that the state was central to wealth creation?

Seeda should be more active in demonstrating it has a genuine impact on our economic prosperity and, for instance, the quality of the transport infrastructure. After all Mr Brathwaite himself claims this is so inadequate that he currently needs £51,489 a year in taxi fares to compensate for it.

  • Peter Rhodes, Brighton Road, Worthing