YOUR report of December 13 regarding City of York Council attempting to block the freedom of speech at council meetings is worrying. I must ask how this was allowed to happen.

This proposed move seems to be a process of blocking the democratic voice. Every individual has a right to express their views.

According to your coverage, the report into this matter was requested with the view that members of the public should not criticise the authority’s officials, should avoid “party politics” and “frivolous” points and should be “factually correct”.

While agreeing that debate should be, as near as possible, “factually correct”, surely it should be up to the chair of the meeting to decide the process of debate.

I sincerely hope that the reason the report was requested was not to suppress public debate.

Howard Perry, Ex Labour York city councillor, St James’s Place, Dringhouses, York.