Urgent action is needed if the national spokesman for the Freemasons says they are a parallel organisation who “fit into” the police (Freemasons are blocking reform, says police chair, 1 January). Mike Baker claims they have high moral principles and values, but while those of the police are open to scrutiny and accountable, those of the Freemasons are not. There can be no place for a secret society making its own moral judgments within our forces of law and order.
Mark Lewinski
Swaffham Prior, Cambridgeshire
• It is pleasing to see that Juan Mata is Guardian Footballer of the Year for his initiative to encourage his colleagues to donate 1% of their earnings to Common Goal so “football can make the world a better place” (Sport, 1 January). It would help me to applaud much louder if I could be assured that Juan and his fellow Premier League footballers are paying appropriate UK taxes to make the UK a better place and not moving their multiple millions to tax havens.
Ron McGarvey
Sandbach, Cheshire
• Perhaps some of the many pubs Greene King have closed down could be used as drunk tanks (Letters, 2 January).
Richard Wood
Toddington, Bedfordshire
• You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows (Storm Dylan set to disrupt UK, 30 December).
Ian Watson
Glasgow
• Brian, Dylan … if the next two aren’t Ermintrude and Florence, we shall be badly let down.
David Singer
Manchester
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