I MUST comment on your article about the Sloggi poster (March 26).
Surely it is apparent from the few complaints received that the vast majority of people in Bury, and the country, regard it as acceptable. Can it be right, therefore, for Khalid Hussain and his colleagues to seek to impose their own form of censorship? If so, we are set on a dangerous path to a fundamentalism that has no part in this country.
As leader of the council, I have not received any complaints, nor have any of the councillors to whom I have spoken. As I meet people from all sections of all communities, I have to say that I do not believe Mr Hussain has been "inundated with calls" from anyone, Muslims or otherwise.
So who exactly is Khalid Hussain, this man who gives himself the title "leading Bury Muslim"?
Is he the same Khalid Hussain who, less than 12 months ago, rang me to pledge his support for Labour? And did he not say we had to stop the Redvales Conservative candidate, Ijaz Ahmed, a fellow Muslim?
Did he not invite myself and Councillor John Smith to his house to organise Labour support? And did he not indicate that he would like to be a Labour candidate in the future?
Furthermore, on December 21, he denied any connection with the Tories when I challenged him at an Eid celebration.
I would also ask if this is the same Khalid Hussain who, a couple of years ago, told the Liberal Democrats of his support and of his desire to be one of their candidates?
While people may be sceptical about politicians who moralise, they are anxious to see them display integrity and principle.
COUNCILLOR JOHN BYRNE,
leader of the council.
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