Margaret Drabble: the troika have acted like Wonga in their dealings with Greece

A burned EU flag hanging on barriers outside the Greek parliament in Athens. 'Christine Lagarde said she wanted to have discussions with “adults” and “grown ups”. How “grown up” are those in the troika who have made such an extraordinary hash of the Greek predicament,' asks Margaret Drabble. Photograph: Louisa Gouliamaki/Getty

I have long been a supporter of the EU and thought we should adopt the euro. The extraordinary incompetence of the money folk is changing my mind. Christine Lagarde said she wanted to have discussions with “adults” and “grownups”. How “grown up” are those in the troika who have made such an extraordinary hash of the Greek predicament and, in consequence, of the whole European project? Like Wonga, they extended credit when they shouldn’t have done, and are now extorting money from those to whom they should not have extended it. What kind of a mess is that? What kind of Europe is this? They are deeply incompetent, if not worse. I honour Peter Luff’s commitment (Letters, 17 July), but his allies have let him down.
Margaret Drabble
London