Thanks to The Press for revealing the behaviour of the council concerning who is to blame for another blatant waste of council tax payers money.

I refer to the pay-out to the former chief executive, and the subsequent lame apologies with an ‘it’s not really important, we’ve learned our mistakes and it won’t happen again’ attitude.

How dare the Lib Dems and Greens all vote against the no confidence motion, politicizing what is an ethical and financial disaster (Damning report: Council leader survives vote of no confidence, May 4). I can’t believe that this may all be glossed over. Sadly, this does happen in our allegedly democratic society.

The people of York don’t want excuses, but honest explanations and if necessary disciplinary action. We are often told that we can decide come the local elections, but why should this mean that between elections the council become a law unto themselves?

Please, let’s have complete transparency and honesty.

D McTernan, Fossway, York

It’s nonsense to claim council leader was bullied

I have just watched online the whole council extraordinary meeting over the Public Interest Report. Among all the partial statements and questions, the stand-out contribution was when the senior partner from independent auditor Mazar’s answered questions. His measured manner, independence and refusal to be distracted from the facts was impressive. As for Cllr Vassie publicly claiming that Cllr Aspden underwent a concerted amount of bullying, that is nonsense.

Geoff Robb, Hunters Close, Dunnington