My wife thinks that I impose my views on readers too often, and would like me to stop.

Normally I do as she recommends but, on this occasion, I feel that the nonsense contained in Martin McGowan-Scanlon’s letter about our MP should not go unchallenged.

Sarah Wollaston’s comment about EEA, EFTA and customs arrangements were not, as he claims, stated as facts. They were her opinion. There can be no facts about something that has not (yet) happened.

In regard to Mr McGowan-Scanlon’s own list of “facts”, I would comment as follows:

1. Sarah Wollaston is not responsible for the closure of Dartmouth’s cottage hospital and did not have the power to prevent it.

2. The vote in England and Wales – not Scotland, nor Northern Ireland – was, marginally to leave the EU, but under our constitutional arrangements, an elected member is not sent to Parliament as a delegate.

Sarah’s duty is to act in what she believes to be the best interests of her constituents and her country.

She bravely and publicly changed her mind about Brexit because of the lies she heard from Leave campaigners, but she has always said that we should comply with the referendum result and leave the EU.

Her comments, to which Mr McGowan-Scanlon objects so strongly, are not about whether but how we leave.

3. Predictions concerning the economic effect of the vote to leave have been slower than many anticipated to materialise, but chickens are roosting now – 0.1 per cent growth in the first quarter of this year, while the rest of Europe, indeed, the world, is galloping away.

4. His suggestion that Dr Wollaston’s lack of business experience disqualifies her from commenting on economic matters is bizarre. She is an elected MP, for goodness sake!

And, anyway, I believe she was a partner in a general practice, clearly a form of business.

5. His statement that Sarah is not capable of explaining why she thinks EEA/EFTA is the best solution is wrong. In her own blog post-dated 28 February, she has done exactly that.

6. While we are on the subject of people explaining themselves, perhaps Mr McGowan-Scanlon could provide evidence for his statement (that he claims as a fact) that the committee that Sarah chairs is “not influential”.

In fact, Sarah chairs two Commons committees, the Liaison Committee and the Health Select Committee. I am told by those who know the Palace of Westminster well that both wield considerable influence.

Tim Hailstone

Venn Lane, Stoke Fleming