I WELCOMED the comments about former Durham County Council leader Albert Nugent in last week's Hear All Sides, but blinked in disbelief when I read your article which referred to the possibility of his expulsion (Echo, May 24).

Albert Nugent made his mark in the sand with his halting of the privatisation of the remaining council-run old people's homes. A lesser man would have buckled under the stresses he has had to endure.

His suspension from the Labour Party just before the election for leadership of the new authority raises serious questions. We ponder this in a context of the most disastrous election results, including the Crewe by-election. The image of lemmings comes to mind.

Of last week's thought-provoking letters, John Gilmore's (HAS, May 20) was particularly incisive.

Permit me to say thanks to Albert for the courage he has shown. In inspecting East Green Old People's home several months ago I asked what their response was to Albert's halting of the closure programme.

They told me to express their gratitude to him.

County Councillor John Lethbridge, Woodhouse Division, Bishop Auckland.