Letter from the Editor: Praise the Press for doing its job

Even Big Sam himself got in on the act during his doorstep press conference, labelling the Sunday Telegraph sting as “entrapment”.

He wasn’t alone, during a radio phone-in just after the announcement that the FA had parted company with yet another England manager, several callers chose to take a pop at the newspaper as if it somehow excused what had taken place.

Let’s get this straight, what Allardyce did may not have been illegal but it was certainly morally wrong. That such behaviour was exposed by the Telegraph should be lauded not criticised.

In the wake of the Leveson Inquiry, newspapers have been an easy target for people with a gripe against them.

There is no doubt that the actions of some - the News of the World being a prime example - were reprehensible ... and also illegal, meaning laws were already in place to deal with them.

The ongoing pressure for the Government to get tough with the media won’t change that aspect, but it may make it tougher for wrong-doers to be exposed.

And, let’s be honest, going undercover is often the only way to do it.

After all, if the reporter had knocked on Allardyce’s door, introduced himself asked the same sort of questions he so willingly answered in a hotel bar with the lure of £400,000 in front of him, what do you think his reply would have been?