READING about Kezia Dugdale calling on Tory MSPs to oppose ‘rape clause’ after reading a victim’s letter (Evening Times online April 25), it’s convenient that this rape victim comes forward just at the right time for Kezia.

I smell a rat. Anyone affected by this clause only has to report the matter to the police and the crime reference number is all that would be needed to qualify for benefits .

It’s not a lot to ask the miniscule numbers that would be affected.

The legislation is essential unfortunately as without it anyone could just claim rape and receive payment unchallenged.

But if you want to do away with the legislation there is a simple solution.

Benefits for first two children only and no exceptions at all.

At least with the legislation rape victims are not made to suffer financially if they have a third child as the result of rape.

Collene Stirling, posted online

One trick pony

IN relation to Nicola Sturgeon’s comments about the election not being about independence (Evening Times online April 25), she is running scared.

Her constant whining about referendums and independence, which poll after poll say Scots don’t want,has pushed the Tories way up the opinion polls.

So now she’s trying to claim the election is not about independence. Aye, right.

Everything about the SNP is about independence, nothing more, as you can clearly see by the mug they are making of running the country!

David Paterson, posted online

Mask slipped

NICOLA Sturgeon has carefully and skilfully made the Tories the defacto party of the union, we know how much Scotland loves Tories.

Ruth has had an easy ride since being leader, no one has really made her accountable for her parties heinous policies that increase poverty and target the disabled.

All part of the bigger picture.

Then again, with the week she had last week, aka ‘Rape Clause Ruth’ she’s let the mask slip.

Padraig McGlinchey, posted online

Only one answer

LET’S be clear here.

Independence is the only answer to Scotland’s long problem of under investment and high welfare.

Let us use our own resources our own tax and our own wherewithal to run our own country.

As for the folk that think we cannot afford it well maybe they should look at the facts.

We get less in a block grant than we put in and it is by quite a large margin.

Jim Clarke, posted online