Treat both families in same way

I feel compelled to respond to Mike Cockett's letter of March 10 in which he laments the double standards with regards to the reporting of the Madeleine McCann and Shannon Matthews cases.

Believing him to be attacking the media bias he felt was apparent in both cases I read on, only to find it was yet another stinging comment aimed at the McCanns and their social and professional status.

I agree with him entirely that there is a case of double standards, but he has missed the point.

As doctors, the McCanns' mistake in leaving their children that fateful night has left them at the mercy of the most vitriolic, unpleasant attacks via media websites any of us have ever witnessed.

However, the silence of these same critics with regards to the disquieting family circumstances and parenting of Shannon Matthews, has been frankly deafening.

Talk about double standards.

Sadly, it seems to be all about social standing and jealousy and has little to do with the disappearance of two innocent girls.

Isn't it about time we all supported both families equally irrespective of mistakes made, who has more money or privilege and directed our vitriol where it is most required - at the people who prey on our children and make our society unsafe?

J Young, Shrewsbury