IT is outrageous that George Osborne should try to contend that he can take on so many other jobs without detriment to his primary role as an MP.

There are a maximum of 10 mornings and afternoons in a full working week.

In Osborne’s case, four of them are to be taken up as editor and a further two with Blackrock.

Without taking into account any other non-executive directorships, he already only has a maximum of 40 per cent of a normal full working week available for Parliamentary and constituency duties.

If we accept that the more conscientious of our MP’s find it necessary to devote more than a 40 hour week to the job, Osborne’s stance is tantamount to saying that he is capable of 150 per cent better performance than the majority of his parliamentary colleagues which is arrogant and patronising.

He should protect his integrity by resigning as MP for Tatton and let someone else with more time, less conflicts and more committed to public duty, do the job properly.

David Beard Address supplied