I COULD not believe the letter from your correspondent Darren Clifford supporting the former council leader Stanley Henig (Citizen, last week).

If the title of Alderman is given to reflect a high standard of service to ratepayers, the action taken by Cllrs Whitelegg and Barry to challenge Mr Henig was not only sensible but also appropriate and totally justified.

This challenge to the status quo at the town hall offers a glimmer of hope to ratepayers that a culture of public account-ability may one day prevail.

I would be interested to know who proposed and backed Mr Henig's nomination as an Alderman because, in my opinion, this information is in the public interest.

It would also have been interesting to see how councillors voted, had Mr Henig not denied us this information by refusing to stand.

When councillors act in the interests of the ratepayers who elect them and put ratepayers first they deserve to receive public thanks and recognition.

But Cllr Barry is right to say that a decision to appoint an Alderman should be based on a debate and on merit. There's nothing political or personal about that, Mr Clifford.

Mr S Williams, Morecambe.