CONGRATULATIONS to Coun Anne Reid for putting York on the world map for all the wrong reasons.

I see the story about her abuse of her position on the council has made the front page of at least one national newspaper and has also made a lead story on the Today programme. She will be interested to learn that it has also made the front page of at least one South African newspaper.

Why do our councillors think it made headline news across the world? Is it because, as Coun Galloway said, that his fellow councillor was "very courageous"? Or is it because the whole episode stinks and York has become a laughing stock?

I see that in accordance with York's freedom of information policy the real villain, according to her son, is some unnamed official who "recommended it to her". Who is this genius?

I have no doubt that all will be revealed along with the information on "pay offs" to suspended councillors with our money. Incidentally is it not convenient that "when the fan is hit" councillors always seem to be on holiday?

A P Clayton-Chance,

Richardson Street,

York.

Updated: 10:28 Wednesday, October 19, 2005