Dear Ed, MANY will know the Queen visited three factories in London’s East End to show support for jobs and businesses in these tough times. But I was shocked at how rudely she was treated by those paid to represent us

Dear Ed,

MANY of us will know the Queen visited our part of the world last Wednesday, taking in three factories in London’s East End to show support for jobs and businesses in these tough times.

But I was shocked at how rudely she was treated by those paid to represent those she visited.

For much of the visit, the Queen was accompanied by the Mayor of Tower Hamlets and his wife.

The pictures emerging in the national press since of the mayor’s wife photographing the Queen at close range while undertaking part of the official visit have reduced Tower Hamlets to a laughing stock. No doubt it has caused great offence to the Queen herself.

I am sure the mayor will claim his wife’s behaviour was borne of affection and enthusiasm.

But if that explains everything, the next time I see the mayor I’ll bound up and give him a slap on the back, maybe even a playful headlock.

Just because we may do that to friends does not mean it is appropriate for a public figure on duty.

The matter goes beyond our views on the monarchy. Regardless whether you think we should be “her people”, the fact remains she is our Queen, the Head of State treated with bad manners which is an affront to all of us who look to her as a focus for national unity.

As so often, there are parallels between local and national Labour. While Gordon Brown grasps at royal succession desperate to distract from his total mismanagement of the economy, the local Labour lot show a similar discourtesy to a lady who has been a unifying figure across society for nearly sixty years.

Phil Whittington

Caravel Close, Poplar