My local MP, David Lammy, makes his first proposal as junior minister for the Department for Constitutional Affairs to remove legal aid for 'middle class' motorists arrested on driving matters.

This would mean a return to the dreaded means test.

Inevitably, this will increase costs and delay for the court that has to assess the means, and for the solicitor who has to gather the relevant material, which is why the means test was removed.

Where does Mr Lammy intend to set the figure for 'middle class' people whom he says could afford defence costs?

Some road-traffic matters involve complicated areas of law, or where police testimony needs to be challenged, and defendants need much assistance from a qualified specialist.

The result of his attack on legal aid would be the innocent would be more likely to plead guilty to avoid paying costs.

That is why we have legal aid to protect the innocent.

In a society where the police are six times more likely to stop black people than white, it is inevitable that black 'middle class' drivers will suffer disproportionately under this proposed attack.

Matt Foot, Michael Fisher, London