As personal injury lawyers, we think it is a great shame and totally unfair that so many lawyers are criticising Jack Straw for discovering the existence of referral fees in 2011.

After all, why should we expect the former justice secretary to be aware that referral fees have been the backbone of personal injury business for the last 15 years?

Just because he is the MP for Blackburn, a town with the largest cluster of claims management companies (registered or otherwise) in the country makes no difference.

We think he has been done an injustice!

Andrew Twambley, senior partner, Amelans Solicitors; director, Injurylawyers4u, Manchester

Kerry Underwood, chairman, Law Abroad; senior partner, Underwoods Solicitors, Hemel Hempstead