I NOTE The Northern Echo belatedly commented on union money that ought to have been a local taxpayer concern for some considerable time (Comment, Jan 28), but somehow missed the elephant in the room.

There is a clear pattern emerging, pointing to the fact that local taxpayers are funding the Labour Party without their knowledge or approval.

First of all we had the extra column in the councillor expenses at Wear Valley – stating deduction to the Labour Party.

Money from taxpayer-funded Labour councillors’ allowances was removed at source, unbelievably administered for free by council staff, and given to the Labour Party.

We then have a Labour MEP, with a present annual office allowance of £45,000, housed in Durham County Hall for a peppercorn rent for 18 years – starting at £1,000 and rising to around £1,640 before he was rumbled.

No apology or proper explanation was ever given.

Despite costing the taxpayer more than £100m across the country, we still have taxpayers paying for Durham County Council staff to work for unions, with membership subscriptions administered for free by council staff, and, despite others paying for use of rooms, the unions have four rooms at County Hall with no cost attached.

Can I remind council leader Simon Henig that the Labourbacked bid for a unitary authority to rule County Durham promised: “recurring £21m savings each year”.

Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland