Sir, - I refer to your article on the mystery over the suspension of the Northallerton town clerk in last week's D&S. You say there is an investigation into a whistleblower complaint in Hambleton. Over the years here in Richmondshire you the D&S have reported on the Gayle housing fiasco. This was based on the council's own report. Then some time later you wrote that Richmondshire District Council had to pay over £500,000 to a care worker because the council had unfairly dismissed her. There has been no comment from the council on these two damming articles. I have therefore to ask is the D&S making malicious reports or is the council and councillors burying their heads in the sands? I also find it disturbing to read that councillors are accused of verbally abusing each other and fighting in the street. In a few weeks’ time we the public will be asked to vote. I ask simply who has the competence and guts to challenge this way of working in Richmondshire?

I read recently that if you wanted a job in security, say a doorman, then you had to attend college and pass an examination to get a certificate. If you have no certificate then an employer will not take you on. That being the case why does the Government not insist that all perspective councillors and members of parliament also attend college so that we know before we vote for them that they have a grounding in common sense and know how a professionally run company works and does not waste public money?

BRIAN TYLDESLEY

Middleham.