THE reinstatement of the widely-respected York archivist, Rita Freedman, was greeted with satisfaction and relief by her many supporters.

However, reinstatement does not mean exoneration. Mrs Freedman has still to face a disciplinary hearing. The law moves slowly, but not, apparently, so slowly as City of York Council. The dictum "Justice delayed is justice denied" could not be more appropriately applied.

This deplorable case has yet wider implications for the residents of York.

How can the Director of Leisure Services carry out the requirements of Best Value policy with regard to public consultation when even our elected representatives have no idea what his officers are up to?

I have been assured that "all will become clear in time". I hope so.

In the interim, Mr Croft should explain the reason for this long delay. Better still, he should simply find the courage to dismiss these demeaning charges altogether.

William Dixon Smith,

Welland Rise,

Acomb, York.