The establishment view is that the public rage aimed at two of Westminster's longest-serving and most respected mps, Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw, this week was unwarranted-a case of anti-politics feeling gone mad. Foolishly entrapped-in a snare a half-blind rabbit could have spotted-the two former foreign secretaries, Sir Malcolm a Conservative, Mr Straw for Labour, were both caught pitching to an undercover television reporter for what they believed was a lucrative opportunity to push the interests of a Chinese company. It was embarrassing; both protested they had broken no law, which may prove to be true. Yet the self-serving establishment view is wrong. Politicians peddling influence for cash is reprehensible, whatever the rules; and in the current, febrile mood, Sir Malcolm and Mr Straw have done serious damage to the system they once served with distinction.
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