READER John Beisly describes an Ann Reid critic as gullible for believing media hype, and states that my fellow critics are to be ridiculed for stating their opinions (Letters, October 31).

Mrs Reid has accepted that she did wrong and has apologised, so why can't her Liberal Democrat apologists also accept the fact that she did abuse her position?

At the least she should have received a public censure, rather than praise, from Steve Galloway, then the matter would have ended.

The main trouble with City of York Council is the secret way it operates - witness the events surrounding the David Finnegan affair. I am one of the constituents who wrote to Hugh Bayley out of frustration because I was unable to discover the facts about ratepayers' money being used to subsidise Mr Finnegan's severance package.

What was the result of the disciplinary inquiry? Suspension usually involves gross misconduct, so if he was not guilty, publish the fact.

If he was guilty then shouldn't he have been sacked rather than being rewarded with the "opportunity to retire and seek new challenges". Does John Beisly share my concerns or am I being ridiculous again?

Paul Gledhill,

Acomb Wood Close,

Woodthorpe

York.

Updated: 10:30 Friday, November 04, 2005