Dear Editor

Dr Jim Newcomb suggests that I am an unresponsive and uncaring local MP, who was unwilling to sign an Early Day Motion in support of a new Dementia Fund, and failed to attend an Alzheimer’s UK photography exhibition in the House of Commons.

But, just leaving aside the 800 constituency cases I and my team do every year on behalf of local people, and all my other work in the community, there is no truth to this at all.

1. In fact, I informed Dr Newcomb some weeks ago that as a minister I am not permitted to sign Early Day Motions 2. I did attend the Alzheimer’s UK exhibition, which was well done and very moving. 3. There already is a pioneering Dementia Discovery Fund, which works in partnership with Alzheimer’s UK. It was set up by my wife, Kate Bingham.

My mother died of early onset Alzheimer’s disease ten years ago. I helped to care for her, so I know from first hand experience the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia. And my wife works at the forefront of global scientific efforts to combat them. The facts speak for themselves.

MP Jesse Norman