Citizen Smith was reported to the Press Complaints Commission recently by one Chris Ogden of Palatine Avenue in Lancaster who described herself simply to the PCC as a Labour supporter.

Among Ms Ogden's criticisms, which she did not give staff at the paper any chance to address before she reported to the commission, was that we attempted to "mislead and distort".

Her complaint was supported by information provided by a leading Labour councillor -- that councillor has since explained that he was not shown the full complaint before it went off to the PCC.

Not surprisingly the complaint was rejected.

For the Labour conspiracy theorists out there (and I know there's at least a couple of you) you may be surprised to learn that this is not the first time we have been threatened with the PCC and indeed, legal action, following reports on or about your party, locally.

None have come to anything or been substantiated, and consider this... if we get our facts wrong we have to be accountable for them and, if necessary, admit we're wrong and pay the penalty. You, on the other hand, are under no such obligation. I guess it's easier to believe the bogus claim, peddled by some, that you're being picked on by those beastly people at The Citizen, than face up to the reality that, some in your party, presided over some of the most appalling decisions Dalton Square has ever witnessed and that some councillors were, and are, so arrogant that they will do almost anything other than admit they were wrong.

It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.

If you have anything you think Citizen Smith should have a go at write to him at: The Citizen Victoria Court Penny Street Lancaster LA1 1XN