Andrew Mitchell's resignation is hot topic for Any Questions panel
BBC Radio 4's political panel show Any Questions? paid a visit to Shropshire with its columnists debating a variety of hot topics.
The show was broadcast live last night from St Alkmund's Church in Shrewsbury with journalist Jonathan Dimbleby in front of an audience of almost 300 people.
The panel included Conservative MP Anna Soubry, UKIP leader Nigel Farage, Speaker's wife Sally Bercow and union leader Bob Crowe.
One of the first topics to come under scrutiny was the resignation of the Government's chief whip Andrew Mitchell, which had been announced just hours earlier.
They also tackled issues such as MPs' expenses, the Prime Minister's energy prices announcement this week and the decision by the Attorney General to block the publication of letters Prince Charles had sent to Government departments.
All of the panel agreed that Mr Mitchell was right to leave the post.
"He was always a very good, kind and supportive friend to me.
"I'm sorry that he has gone because of my friendship with him," said Ms Soubry.
"But he has done the right thing. I wish he had done it earlier," she added.
Mrs Bercow said: "What amazes me is he managed to hang on for so long. He let the mask slip and was right to go."
Mr Farage added: "He behaved in a completely out of touch over-privileged manner."
RMT general secretary Mr Crowe said Mr Mitchell should have apologised 'from day one'.
