SIR - J C Butterfield's response (Letters, July 3) to my explanation of the role of the European Parliament cannot go unanswered.

To claim that I destroy my own argument about our influence when I say that "the work of MEPs will form the basis of new legislation" is frankly bizarre.

Elected MEPs are co-legislators with the European Council, which consists of elected heads of governments. Neither has the power to legislate alone, hence my earlier comment.

The "unelected Commission" has no votes whatever in this process, just as our own unelected civil service has no votes in signing off UK legislation.

Mr Butterfield may not like the facts, but he should not distort them.

PHILIP BUSHILL-MATTHEWS,

MEP, European Parliament, Strasbourg.